Hydrologist

Lynker is hiring a senior Hydrologist in Leesburg, VA, to lead government contract initiatives and consulting efforts. The role involves designing and implementing hydrologic models, serving as a liaison between researchers and management, and mentoring junior staff. Candidates should have a Ph.D. or Master's degree with extensive experience in operational hydrology, programming skills, and a proven leadership record. The position requires East Coast residency.
Lynker is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Hydrologist to serve as Lead, supporting Lynker government contracts, and our Lynker consulting team. As a senior technical authority on site, you will spearhead the experimental implementation of forecast systems, transforming mature research into operational protocols. You will act as a primary architect for bridging the gap between scientific innovation and real-time flood forecasting, while also mentoring junior staff and influencing future R&D directions through the Operations-to-Research (O2R) feedback loop.

Support & Collaboration

The Hydrologist selected will also be backed by a robust support network. You will have direct access to the technical resources and subject matter experts at Lynker. This ensures you have the institutional backing, data access, and collaborative power needed to succeed in our high-visibility initiatives. The ideal Hydrologist for this position will be situated somewhere on the East Coast. This work is contingent on finalization and approval of an upcoming contract modification.

Duties of the Hydrologist selected will include the following

Strategic Leadership & Implementation



Spearhead Initiatives Lead the design, testing, and operational deployment of advanced hydrologic models and forecasting techniques.Strategic Liaison Serve as the authoritative liaison between researchers, Lynker management, and client leadership; successfully negotiate and align research capabilities with operational constraints.Model Architecture & Integration Oversee the technical integration of new modeling systems into forecasting systems, ensuring robustness and reliability for critical public safety forecasts.Advanced Analysis Direct high-level data analysis and visualization efforts to validate model performance, ensemble forecast generation, and reservoir inflow predictions.


Mentorship & Technical Oversight

Technical Mentorship Act as a subject matter expert and mentor to junior hydrologists and forecasting staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence.Workflow Optimization Evaluate existing operational workflows and author recommendations for modernization that enhance efficiency and forecast accuracy.Publishing & Thought Leadership Lead the preparation of high-impact annual scientific reports and peer-reviewed journal articles; represent the project as a keynote or primary presenter at national scientific conferences.


The Hydrologist selected should have the following

Education & ExperienceA Ph.D. in Hydrology, Civil Engineering, Atmospheric Science, or a related discipline, and 3+ years of experience; ORA Master’s Degree in a related discipline with at least 7+ years of specialized professional experience in operational hydrology or hydrologic modeling.Operational Systems Expertise Deep technical proficiency with operational forecasting systems and hydrologic modeling suites (e.g., SAC-SMA, HEFS, physically-based models).Advanced Technical Skills Expert-level capability in programming (Python, R) and data management for large-scale hydrologic datasets.Leadership capability Proven track record of leading complex technical projects, managing stakeholder relationships, and driving consensus across multi-agency teams.

The Ideal Hydrologist selected will have the following

Ensemble Forecasting Extensive experience with hydrologic ensemble forecast services (HEFS), probabilistic verification, and risk-based decision support tools.Software Engineering Familiarity with modern software development practices (version control, containerization) to streamline model deployment.Mentoring Experience Demonstrated success in supervising or mentoring junior scientists, with specific examples of guiding professional development.


About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities - creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following

Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly costHealthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and visionPersonal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidaysHighly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks401(k) retirement plan with company-matchingEmployee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - we're all company owners!Flexible spending accountsEmployee assistance program (EAP)Short- and long-term disability insuranceLife and accident insuranceTuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per yearSpot bonuses for exceptional performanceAnnual Employee Recognition Awards with bonusesEmployee Referral ProgramFree centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pacePersonalized career growth plans for every employee


Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.

⚠️ Fraud Alert Recruitment Scam Warning Lynker has been made aware of fraudulent individuals posing as Lynker recruiters and offering fake job opportunities. All legitimate Lynker job postings are listed on our official careers page. Communication from Lynker recruiters will come from an official @lynker.com email address.