You’re 38 and single. Your mother keeps muttering under her breath something about “no grandkids.” So you’re breaking down and giving speed dating a try (yes, it’s still a thing). You only have a moment to get to know your potential soulmates, so you ask them what they do for a living. The first is a novelist/barista (no comment). The next teaches middle school (Clearly a living saint—or insane). Number three is ferociously intelligent and talks to you about the virtues of the slide rule (yes, it’s still a thing). They’re an atmospheric engineer.

Wait, what?

First of all, lock that down. Marry them and your kids will ace AP Physics like nobody’s business. Second, here’s what you will soon learn about your one true love:

Atmospheric Engineers Are Essential to National Security

Also known as climate or environmental engineers, atmospheric engineers are behind the scenes of national security in more ways than you may realize. They predict weather, water and climate conditions—so you can imagine all the ways their work impacts national defense. How will water conditions affect a submarine’s weapons systems? What kind of environmental conditions are necessary to keep our nuclear arsenal stable? Atmospheric engineers are key to figuring things like this out.

They also anticipate and model how the deployment of certain weapons will be affected by the surrounding environment. Warfare does not happen in a vacuum. Any number of environmental factors—like extreme temperatures, winds or humidity—can compromise weapons and equipment.

Likewise, they study how those weapons may affect the surrounding environment. How will radioactive materials transport in the water and air if a nuclear weapon is deployed under water? Where and how can you safely dispose of waste generated by nuclear weapons production? An atmospheric scientist would just love to ponder these types of questions.

Atmospheric Engineers Have At Least One Degree (And Probably More)

Relatively few people have a degree in atmospheric science. More likely, they have a degree in physics, meteorology, mathematics or some kind of engineering. Often, they’ll have an MA or PhD, as well. While it is possible to break into this field without a bachelor’s degree, it is not very likely. Like most engineering fields, the rigor of a obtaining a degree in engineering, physics or mathematics shows employers that candidates have the research background to be successful.

Most atmospheric scientists also usually have a strong background in programming and various testing/research software.

Atmospheric Engineers Are Creative, Analytical and Solve Problems

Atmospheric engineers offer research, troubleshooting and design skills that make the development and effective use of military technology possible. They may test and calibrate equipment, design new equipment and test centers, gather data or write the software necessary for these tasks. This requires a high level of curiosity, the ability to think critically and to anticipate problems.

For this reason, often those with advanced degrees conduct research at national labs or with government contractors. This research is critical to the development of new technology and improving/troubleshooting existing technology. Again, this requires outside-the-box thinking and the practical application of some very intense science.

For example, how will shemal winds affect the combat readiness of equipment and manpower deployed in Iraq or Syria? I do not know—but your new atmospheric scientist soulmate might.

 

If you are an atmospheric scientist or are interested in becoming one, you can look at these job listings here.

Tip: Your search will yield more accurate results if you do a Boolean search of “atmospheric” AND “engineer.” But if you’re looking, you probably knew that already.

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Caroline's background is in public policy, non-profit fundraising, and - oddly enough - park rangering. Though she once dreamed of serving America secretly in the CIA, she's grateful she's gotten to serve America publicly - both through the National Park Service and right here at ClearanceJobs.

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