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Atmosphere Models Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

General Information

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$54 - $74/hr

Develop short- and long-term seasonal forecasts using atmospheric models and various data sources to support proactive planning ; information relating to temperature predictions, precipitation ...

Data Scientist, Sensors

San Jose, CA ยท On-site

$155K - $232K/yr

Analyze and model raw sensor and atmospheric data to build calibration, correction, and detection models, distinguishing true signal from environmental variability and instrument artifacts

New

Showing results 21-40

Atmosphere Models information

See California salary details

$10.9K

$104.1K

How much do atmosphere models jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for atmosphere models in California is $95,894.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $88,800.00 and $103,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the atmosphere models position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Atmosphere Modeler, you need a strong background in atmospheric sciences, meteorology, or a related field, typically complemented by experience in numerical modeling and data analysis. Proficiency with tools such as MATLAB, Python, Fortran, and specialized atmospheric modeling software like WRF or HYSPLIT, along with relevant certifications, is often required. Critical thinking, attention to detail, and strong communication skills are important for interpreting results and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial for generating accurate atmospheric predictions and contributing to research or policy decisions.

How to become an atmosphere model?

To become an atmosphere model, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in atmospheric science, meteorology, or a related field. Gaining experience with climate and weather modeling software, such as WRF or GFS, and developing strong analytical and programming skills in languages like Python or Fortran are important. Advanced roles may require a master's or Ph.D. and familiarity with data analysis and simulation techniques.

What is an atmosphere model?

An Atmosphere Models job involves developing, testing, and improving computational models that simulate atmospheric processes like weather patterns, climate change, and air quality. Professionals in this field use mathematical equations and data analysis to predict atmospheric behavior and support research in meteorology, environmental science, and aviation. They often work with government agencies, research institutions, or private companies to enhance forecasting accuracy and understand climate dynamics. Strong skills in programming, physics, and data modeling are essential for success in this role.

What does a typical workday look like for an atmosphere modeler, and with whom do they usually collaborate?

As an Atmosphere Modeler, your workday typically involves developing, running, and analyzing computer simulations that predict atmospheric conditions, as well as processing large sets of environmental data. You will frequently collaborate with meteorologists, climate scientists, software engineers, and sometimes government or industry stakeholders to refine models and interpret results. Much of your work is computer-based, but you may also participate in meetings to discuss findings or plan research initiatives. This collaborative and analytical environment offers variety and intellectual challenge, while also providing opportunities for professional growth as you contribute to impactful environmental projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Atmosphere Models jobs in California? The most popular types of Atmosphere Models jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Atmosphere Models jobs? Cities in California with the most Atmosphere Models job openings:
Infographic showing various Atmosphere Models job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 45% Full Time, and 55% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $95,894 per year, or $46.1 per hour.

Rainmaker Fellow, Atmospheric Science

Rainmaker Technology Corporation

El Segundo, CA โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

About Rainmaker
Rainmaker is pioneering a modern cloud-seeding system to increase precipitation, improve water availability, and address severe-weather challenges. We combine atmospheric science, weather-resistant UAS, radar and satellite observations, numerical weather prediction, novel sensing systems, and sustainable seeding technologies to design, operate, and evaluate precipitation-enhancement programs.
Rainmaker needs quantitative methods that translate atmospheric conditions into operational and program-design decisions. Fellows work on analyses intended to change what Rainmaker builds, where it operates, or how it evaluates results.
About the Fellowship
The Rainmaker Atmospheric Science Fellowship is a paid, full-time research appointment for exceptional undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, recent graduates, and other early-career researchers.
You will join Rainmaker's atmospheric-science team and work alongside our researchers on a scoped quantitative project drawn from Rainmaker's current scientific and operational priorities and defined in close collaboration with your research lead or mentor. Project matching will consider available data, mentor capacity, team needs, and your background. You will take responsibility for a concrete analytical workstream while contributing to the broader team's research, reviews, and operational decisions.
Fellows are not expected to arrive with an independent research agenda or define a project in isolation. You will be expected to turn an important atmospheric or operational question into a rigorous analysis and a result the team can continue using.
Examples of the Work
Fellowship projects change with Rainmaker's research and operational priorities. Examples of the work our quantitative atmospheric-science team may pursue include:
  • Estimating seedable hours and program opportunity for a proposed or existing operating region.
  • Quantitatively evaluating cloud-seeding operations, targeting decisions, or factors associated with precipitation yield.
  • Building ground-truth datasets and validation methods for forecasting, retrieval, or machine-learning systems.
  • Verifying forecasts or automating a meteorological analysis used by operations.
  • Comparing program designs, targeting strategies, or operational constraints across candidate regions.

What You'll Do
  • Work with your research lead to translate an atmospheric, operational, or program-design question into measurable quantitative criteria.
  • Build and document the quality-controlled dataset required for the assigned project.
  • Apply appropriate statistical, climatological, geospatial, verification, or decision-analysis methods.
  • Compare results across relevant reanalysis, NWP, satellite, radar, terrain, operational, or in-situ data sources.
  • Incorporate practical operational constraints when they are relevant to the question.
  • Quantify uncertainty, missingness, bias, and sensitivity to assumptions.
  • Create maps, summaries, and decision-oriented outputs for scientists, operators, and program designers.
  • Build a documented and reusable workflow that the team can extend to future questions.
  • Deliver a final artifact such as a dataset, analysis, evaluation framework, operational tool, technical report, or presentation.

What We're Looking For
  • Current undergraduate, master's, or PhD students; postdoctoral researchers; recent graduates; and other early-career researchers are all eligible.
  • Background in meteorology, atmospheric science, applied mathematics, statistics, physics, hydrology, geospatial science, or a related field.
  • Strong Python and quantitative-analysis ability.
  • Experience with meteorological, climate, geospatial, radar, satellite, or model data.
  • Ability to make ambiguous definitions explicit and test the sensitivity of results to assumptions.
  • Strong scientific judgment about uncertainty, representativeness, and the difference between an analytical proxy and operational ground truth.
  • Clear written and verbal communication.
  • Availability for full-time, on-site work in El Segundo for the agreed appointment.

Particularly Relevant Experience
  • GRIB, netCDF, xarray, reanalysis, NWP, radar, satellite, terrain, or operational datasets.
  • Climatology, forecast verification, spatial statistics, time-series analysis, uncertainty quantification, or decision analysis.
  • Cloud microphysics, precipitation, orographic meteorology, convection, weather modification, or field operations.
  • Reproducible scientific workflows and decision-oriented visualization.

What Success Looks Like
By the end of the fellowship, you will have answered a clearly defined scientific or operational question and delivered a result the atmospheric-science team can continue using. The work should include clear uncertainty and sensitivity analysis and should not present an analytical proxy as more certain than the underlying observations support.
Fellowship Details
  • Paid, full-time, and on-site in El Segundo.
  • Three-to-six-month appointment, with four months as the standard duration.
  • Rolling applications and project-specific start dates.
  • Attached directly to Rainmaker's atmospheric-science team with a named mentor.
  • Possible consideration for future full-time roles, without any promise or expectation of conversion.

Compensation and Benefits
$8,000 per month
Benefits:
  • Full health coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance)
  • Lunch provided when working in-office and a fully stocked kitchenette
  • Free EV charging at the HQ

$8,000 - $8,000 a month