> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2713396-wildfire-scientist-wildfire-spread-modeler](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2713396-wildfire-scientist-wildfire-spread-modeler). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Wildfire Scientist - Wildfire Spread Modeler - **Company:** Aon View all jobs - **Location:** Boston, MA, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $58,677.0 - $93,912.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Geographic Information Systems, ArcGIS (Software), Big Data, Cloud Computing, Python (Programming Language), Quantum GIS (QGIS), SuccessFactors, SQL Databases, Data Processing, Scripting, Model Validation, Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL), Raster Graphics, Database Tools and Utilities - **Published:** September 4, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.careerjet.com/job/usef668c70e5adc6a2dae1ccb36fa4cde1/eaa ## About the Role * M.S. or Ph.D. in wildfire science, fire behavior, environmental science, applied geoscience, atmospheric science, a closely related field (required) or equivalent years of industry experience * Direct experience with wildfire spread modeling (required), which may include: * Operational or research use of tools such as FARSITE, FlamMap, BehavePlus, or similar fire behavior models, and/or * Experience developing or working with custom spread models (cellular automata, level-set methods, or other numerical approaches). * Demonstrated understanding of wildland-urban interface (WUI) fire behavior, including: * How fires transition from wildland fuels into communities. * The role of embers/spotting and structure-to-structure spread (preferred). * Strong programming / scripting skills, preferably in R and/or Python (required). * Experience working with geospatial data and tools (e.g., raster/vector data, GDAL, ArcGIS, QGIS, sf/terra in R, or equivalent) (required). * Experience with numerical or environmental models in an HPC or cloud environment (preferred). * Solid analytical and statistical skills, including working with large datasets and time series (required). * Experience with SQL or other database tools (preferred). * Excellent technical writing and presentation skills (required). * Experience with catastrophe modeling or risk modeling (preferred). ## Description * Running large catalogs of simulated events for model development, testing, and calibration. * Working directly with our current wildfire spread engine and associated tooling to ensure reliable, repeatable runs * Diagnosing performance bottlenecks and improving stability and throughput of spread simulations. * Work on improving how our models represent spread in and through the WUI, including: * Representing transitions from wildland fuels to urban and suburban areas. * Incorporating ember generation, spotting, and structure-to-structure fire spread behaviors. * Evaluating how different fuels, topography, and exposures influence spread into built environments. * Helping to shape new modeling approaches that better capture fire behavior in the WUI. * Develop, test, and maintain modeling and data-processing pipelines in R and/or Python, including: * Automation and orchestration of large batches of spread simulations on HPC / cloud resources. * Efficient handling of large geospatial datasets (fuels, topography, exposure grids, fire perimeters). * Evaluate and integrate traditional wildfire spread science into our modeling framework: * Work with established fire behavior models (e.g., Rothermel-based approaches and related methods). * Assess model behavior against historical wildfire perimeters, growth patterns, and impact footprints. * Perform model validation and verification: * Compare modeled spread and burned area to observed historical events across different fuel types and regions. * Document and communicate findings and recommended improvements back into the modeling workflow. * Collaborate closely with an international, interdisciplinary team of: * Catastrophe model developers, wildfire scientists, meteorologists, engineers, and exposure/vulnerability specialists. * Software developers and client-facing colleagues who bring the models to market. * Prepare technical documentation, presentations, and summaries of modeling work for both internal and external audiences., Position/Department Summary Performs a variety of routine and highly specialized diagnostic tests and specialized procedures. 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