Sofar Ocean
Staff Software Engineer, Vessel Performance ModelingSan Francisco, CA
Sofar Ocean, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
Staff Software Engineer, Vessel Performance Modeling
Sofar is on a mission to connect the world's oceans. We design, build, and deploy the largest privately owned network of marine weather sensors to power the world's best marine weather forecasts. Our data helps our customers to increase efficiency and reduce emissions, delivering tools to governments and other stakeholders to understand impacts of climate change on extreme weather and ocean health. We live on Planet Ocean, and our goal is to create the ocean intelligence needed to ensure a sustainable future.
The Role You will be responsible for developing our vessel performance modeling system designed to scalably model a full diversity of real-world vessels using physics-based principles combined with data-driven techniques. You will partner with our team of data scientists and software engineers to improve understanding of vessel interactions with the ocean environment, enabling decarbonization, cost savings, and safer maritime navigation.
Impact You'll Own :
Architect and engineer robust, scalable systems for modeling vessel performance under real-world conditions, including hydrodynamics, engine characteristics, weather impacts, and operational constraints.
Set technical strategy and modeling direction in collaboration with product teams to impact our customers' daily operations.
Lead the development of hybrid models combining physical simulation with machine learning and observational data from ships and sensors.
Ensure models are well-tested, explainable, and production-ready for reliable integration into customer-facing applications and APIs.
Mentor team members and establish best practices for physical modeling, numerical methods, product scope, and system reliability.
About You
10+ years of experience building production-grade modeling or simulation systems utilizing a hybrid of physics and data methods.
Strong programming skills in Python and a system-level language such as C++ or Rust.
Experience designing and owning large-scale modeling pipelines, preferably with real-world noisy data.
Ability to balance scientific rigor with practical engineering constraints.
Excellent communication skills to work across disciplines and explain complex systems.
A background in physics or natural sciences, or equivalent experience.
Passion for the ocean, sustainability, and making a tangible impact on climate and logistics.
Bonus Points
Experience in vessel performance modeling in the shipping industry.
Experience in hydrodynamics or vessel dynamics.
Estimated Salary Range
$170,000 - $220,000
Compensation depends on skills, experience, and other factors. The listed range is an estimate at the time of posting and may change.
Sofar's Commitment to Climate Justice We acknowledge the lack of diversity in marine sciences and are committed to addressing climate injustices. We encourage women, LGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) to apply.
Employee Conduct All employees should contribute to a positive work environment through professional interactions.
Equal Employment Opportunity We consider all qualified applicants without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or other protected factors.
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Sofar is on a mission to connect the world's oceans. We design, build, and deploy the largest privately owned network of marine weather sensors to power the world's best marine weather forecasts. Our data helps our customers to increase efficiency and reduce emissions, delivering tools to governments and other stakeholders to understand impacts of climate change on extreme weather and ocean health. We live on Planet Ocean, and our goal is to create the ocean intelligence needed to ensure a sustainable future.
The Role You will be responsible for developing our vessel performance modeling system designed to scalably model a full diversity of real-world vessels using physics-based principles combined with data-driven techniques. You will partner with our team of data scientists and software engineers to improve understanding of vessel interactions with the ocean environment, enabling decarbonization, cost savings, and safer maritime navigation.
Impact You'll Own :
Architect and engineer robust, scalable systems for modeling vessel performance under real-world conditions, including hydrodynamics, engine characteristics, weather impacts, and operational constraints.
Set technical strategy and modeling direction in collaboration with product teams to impact our customers' daily operations.
Lead the development of hybrid models combining physical simulation with machine learning and observational data from ships and sensors.
Ensure models are well-tested, explainable, and production-ready for reliable integration into customer-facing applications and APIs.
Mentor team members and establish best practices for physical modeling, numerical methods, product scope, and system reliability.
About You
10+ years of experience building production-grade modeling or simulation systems utilizing a hybrid of physics and data methods.
Strong programming skills in Python and a system-level language such as C++ or Rust.
Experience designing and owning large-scale modeling pipelines, preferably with real-world noisy data.
Ability to balance scientific rigor with practical engineering constraints.
Excellent communication skills to work across disciplines and explain complex systems.
A background in physics or natural sciences, or equivalent experience.
Passion for the ocean, sustainability, and making a tangible impact on climate and logistics.
Bonus Points
Experience in vessel performance modeling in the shipping industry.
Experience in hydrodynamics or vessel dynamics.
Estimated Salary Range
$170,000 - $220,000
Compensation depends on skills, experience, and other factors. The listed range is an estimate at the time of posting and may change.
Sofar's Commitment to Climate Justice We acknowledge the lack of diversity in marine sciences and are committed to addressing climate injustices. We encourage women, LGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) to apply.
Employee Conduct All employees should contribute to a positive work environment through professional interactions.
Equal Employment Opportunity We consider all qualified applicants without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or other protected factors.
#J-18808-Ljbffr