CU Boulder
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Job Summary
The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) is seeking a research engineer to support the NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory’s (GML) Technology Transitions, Engineering, and Applications (TTEA) division. The position will support four specific efforts: the High-Altitude Operational Returning Uncrewed System (HORUS), a balloon-borne scientific package that includes a glider to return science payloads to a predetermined location; TraceAIR, the installation of the Measurements of Atmospheric Carbon and H2O (MACH) package aboard United Airlines commercial aircraft to measure trace gas atmospheric composition; NOAA’s GHG Aircraft System for Light Aircraft (NGAS-LA), a flexible yet robust instrument package for measuring greenhouse gases in targeted field studies across the globe; and NOAA’s shipborne instruments that measure the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO) in surface seawater and atmospheric greenhouse gas composition from research vessels and other ships of opportunity. These projects have recently moved from conception to active deployment phase, and the position will help shape the trajectory of these ongoing programs.
Who We Are
CIRES is an internationally recognized leader in innovative environmental science and research and is located at the University of Colorado Boulder. At CIRES, more than 900 environmental science professionals work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet. CIRES has partnered with NOAA since 1967, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth’s poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system.
The mission of the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) is conducting research that addresses three major challenges: greenhouse gas and carbon cycle feedbacks, changes in clouds, aerosols and surface radiation, and stratospheric ozone recovery. The TTEA division aims to advance observing capabilities for direct measurements of atmospheric trace gases to enhance (a) global and regional scale carbon emissions and/or uptake detection, (b) model and satellite evaluation used to understand trends and variability of greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances, and (c) the understanding of tropospheric and stratospheric composition feedbacks on earth’s radiation budget in a changing climate. The TTEA division develops, implements and/or transitions to operations new and innovative atmospheric observing platforms, instruments, and sampling techniques to fulfill this mission.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Calibrate, test, document, maintain and repair atmospheric sensors, trace gas measurement systems, or sampling equipment for ground, aircraft, ship, balloon and/or autonomous system applications (60%).
- Provide input to collaborating scientists and partner organizations on engineering solutions for measurement needs (15%).
- Deploy measurement systems to the field and provide ongoing technical support for field projects (15%).
- Guide transition of new atmospheric observing technologies and/or platforms toward operational research applications (5%).
- Perform other relevant duties as necessary (5%).
What You Should Know
- The anticipated start date for this position is October 1, 2026.
- Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position. Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the U.S on a full-time basis and pass a federal clearance background check by the start date.
- This position will be rostered in CIRES at the University of Colorado Boulder but will be physically situated in the David Skaggs Research Center, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305, on a federal research campus.
- If you are the finalist, you will be required to pass a background check. Non-US citizens without green cards will have limited building access and require a federal escort in the building.
- Occasional field work, such as balloon launches or installation of equipment on aircraft or ships, will require out-of-state and/or international travel approximately 3-4 times per year for approximately 1-2 weeks per deployment.
- This position requires in-person full-time work 5 times a week to start, although situational telework up to 2 days/week may be possible if desired after an initial training period.
What We Can Offer
- CIRES offers a generous compensation package.
- The annual hiring salary range for this position is $60,724 to $90,535. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career-track classification.
- Some relocation funds are available to help offset moving expenses, following CIRES and the University of Colorado’s relocation processes and procedures.
- This position can accommodate a hybrid work modality after an initial training period.
- The University of Colorado Boulder offers a robust training curriculum, opportunities for professional development and a Mentorship Program.
- Boulder is a vibrant community with access to mountain parks, dog parks, miles of trails, rivers, lakes, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, theaters, museums, and sports venues.
- As an employee at CU Boulder, you will have free access to the regional public transit system, an outstanding network of buses and light rail systems that service Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.
Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
What We Require
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering, electrical engineering, electronics engineering or another engineering degree.
- Ability to conduct in-person laboratory work in a U.S. government facility (which requires successful completion of a federal background check).
- Ability to travel and conduct fieldwork 10% of time per year on average.
- Experience with the computer programming language Python.
What You Will Need
- Ability to productively manage multiple tasks and thrive in a highly interactive team environment.
- Strong knowledge of electrical engineering principles and procedures.
- Creative problem-solving skills.
- Strong attention to detail, organization, and meticulousness.
- Good oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong troubleshooting skills.
What We Would Like You to Have
Please note that while the position details both required and preferred skills and experience, we invite applicants to apply even if they do not have the preferred skills and experience outlined in this section. If you meet the requirements and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on the job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.
- Experience with analog and digital electronics design and development.
- Experience with programming small microprocessor control systems (e.g., Arduino, Teensy, Raspberry Pi).
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 certification as Trained Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Pilot.
- Experience and coding capability with Ardupilot software and MAVLink protocol communication.
- Ability to design, program, integrate, and implement mobile command, control, communications and measurement systems, including power, avionics, telemetry and scientific sensors to support UAS operations.
- Experience with soldering and electronics troubleshooting.
- Experience using computer-aided design software.
- Understanding of mechanical systems, materials, and machining.
- Experience with trace gas measurement equipment and techniques.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- Resume/CV
- Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
- Although not needed at the time of Application, please be ready to submit contact information for 5 professional references. If you are identified as a finalist for this position, you will be asked to invite your references to complete a CrossChq questionnaire on your behalf. CrossChq is an online reference check solution. All information is kept confidential and shared only with the members of the search committee.
If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.
This position will close on August 21, 2026.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
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