Software Engineer (Scientific Modeling)

Company: Gigascale Capital
Location: San Francisco
Posted on: January 16, 2025

Job Description:

Terradot is hiring a Software Engineer (Scientific Modeling). This role will be pivotal in developing software to build and scale our scientific models to support scaling our deployments and removing carbon at the speed & scale our planet requires. You will build and deploy scientific models that leverage bits to move atoms effectively!This role is a key part of Terradot's Technology Team. You will work on the Technology Team and work directly with the founders.Responsibilities:

• You will help build, develop, and scale scientific models (Reactive Transport Models, Biogeochemical Models, Earth-Systems Models, Hydrological Models). Note this role doesn't require you to be an expert in the underlying models (other members of the team will have that expertise), but you will help build the software and infrastructure around these underlying models and parametrize them effectively at scale to accelerate Terradot's global ERW deployments and help remove carbon at Speed & Scale.
• For example, you will containerize and build services around these models to run them at scale with cloud compute, develop scalable frameworks and libraries that make extending and parametrizing them efficient such as adding additional scientific processes, effectively parallelize model runs and couple multiple types of models together, deploy and integrate models into mobile and web applications, make these models available to external users through API access.
• You will work mostly on backend technologies (Python/FastAPI) and cloud infrastructure to run these models effectively. You will work on other technical infrastructure, such as CI/CD, DevOps, etc. as needed.
• You will contribute to our culture of strong written documentation and development of CI/CD pipelines, unit-testing ensuring smooth deployment, and high-quality code.
• You will interface with our Science and Modeling team to rapidly iterate on the technology we build to scale our models.Background and Requirements:
  • 5+ years of experience in software development and BS/MS/PhD in Computer Science or related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in a backend language (we use Python).
  • Experience building software and infrastructure to develop and scale scientific process-based and numerical models (e.g. Reactive Transport Models, Biogeochemical Models, Earth-Systems Models, Hydrological Models).
  • A proven track record of shipping, especially in a startup environment building 0-to-1 and scaling technology.
  • Experience working cross-functionally and collaborating with engineering, design, science, and deployment operations teams.
  • Insatiable technical curiosity: enjoy keeping up to date with the latest frameworks and tools and integrating them to develop better software and ship faster.
  • Whether it means collecting soil samples yourself or teaching yourself fundamental science, you are obsessed with understanding the end user's needs and learning from first principles to build better software and ensure its effective deployment.Nice to Haves:
    • A scientific background e.g. through formal education, research, or past-work, and working directly with scientific models is not required, but a huge plus! (this should not come at the expense of rock-solid software skills).
    • Past experience working in CDR/climate/agriculture is not a requirement, but a passion for climate is a plus!
    • Past multidisciplinary teamwork in a scientific field e.g. working on software in healthcare is a huge plus, as you will be working with an interdisciplinary team with expertise in Geochemistry, Soil Science, Agronomy, AI, Remote Sensing, Carbon Markets, Finance.Personal Attributes:
      • Mission-driven, with a passion for addressing climate change.
      • Strategic thinker who can balance short-term needs with long-term vision.
      • Highly collaborative, with a hands-on approach to problem-solving.
      • Ability to navigate ambiguity and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
      • A positive, action-oriented mindset with a focus on outcomes.
      • You care deeply about climate change and feel a strong moral responsibility to act now. This extends into all facets of your life: both personal and professional. No action is too small and no goal too big. Whether you swear by public transport or are committed to composting, we are big believers in embracing sustainability as a mindset and would love to learn what this means for you!What does success look like in this role?
        • You ship fast and are high-output.
        • You set up our modeling infrastructure to scale and be easily extensible.
        • You make improvements to the tech stack and infrastructure by taking the initiative to get feedback and develop your own intuition for how our technology and infrastructure should grow.About Us:Our mission is to stabilize Earth's climate by transforming nature's most powerful permanent carbon removal process into a global climate solution. By advancing science, building technology, and assembling a global coalition, we are catalyzing a global initiative to scale Enhanced Rock Weathering within the next decade, starting in Brazil.Founded out of the Stanford University ecosystem, Terradot is led by the world's leading experts to advance the science and technology of ERW. Our unique structure bridges industry, academia, and government and allows our team to contribute with speed & scale. We are backed by John Doerr, Sheryl Sandberg & Tom Bernthal, George Roberts, Microsoft's Climate Innovation Fund, Google, and Cisco, Venture Funds: Floodgate, Kleiner Perkins, Acre Venture Partners, Gigascale Capital, Valor Capital, Ponderosa Ventures and others.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Research suggests that qualified people from historically marginalized groups may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage all individuals who believe they have the necessary skills and experience to apply for this role.
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Keywords: Gigascale Capital, San Jose , Software Engineer (Scientific Modeling), IT / Software / Systems , San Francisco, California