How to hire a scientific programmer

How to hire a scientific programmer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step scientific programmer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a scientific programmer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new scientific programmer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a scientific programmer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your scientific programmer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a scientific programmer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a scientific programmer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a scientific programmer that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of scientific programmer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Scientific Programmer	Description	Hourly rate
   Scientific Programmer	Computer programmers write and test code that allows computer applications and software programs to function properly. They turn the program designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow.	$27-58
   Computer Engineer	A computer engineer is someone who examines, designs, and manages computer hardware and software systems. He/She or she helps in solving issues or any concerns that may occur with the computer's hardware and software as well as assists in the innovation of computer technology... Show more	$33-63
   Web Design/Development	A web design/development is responsible for creating a high-performing website by utilizing programming skills and languages and digital expertise. This job requires working closely with the clients for the progress and updates, carefully analyzing their specifications and requirements, including the submission timeframe... Show more	$23-48

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Python
   • Visualization
   • Linux
   • Software Development
   • Java
   • C
   • C++
   • Data Analysis
   • Database
   • JavaScript
   • Fortran
   • Data Processing
   • SQL
   • Unix

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage web server on NT.
   • Design object-oriented, pattern-driven Java tools to flexibly manage scientific data archive to an SQL database.
   • Develop an automate faculty evaluation application using SAS, UNIX and VMS scripts.
   • Research, design and implement a velocity function prediction algorithm in C++ on Linux under the Promax geophysical software.
   • Develop public web pages using HTML and Perl.
   • Increase proficiencies in ESRI javascript API, Javascript and Jquery.

   More scientific programmer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the scientific programmer job description is a good way to get more applicants. A scientific programmer salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a scientific programmer in Georgia may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level scientific programmer. Additionally, a scientific programmer with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average scientific programmer salary

   $83,969yearly

   $40.37 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level scientific programmer salary

   $57,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

   Average scientific programmer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$122,819	$59
   2	Rhode Island	$90,123	$43
   3	Massachusetts	$89,333	$43
   4	Maryland	$80,477	$39
   5	Minnesota	$80,207	$39
   6	New York	$79,946	$38
   7	North Carolina	$79,139	$38
   8	New Jersey	$78,347	$38
   9	Oklahoma	$78,059	$38
   10	Texas	$77,199	$37
   11	Alabama	$77,165	$37
   12	Illinois	$73,894	$36
   13	Nebraska	$72,744	$35
   14	Florida	$72,252	$35
   15	New Mexico	$71,416	$34
   16	Hawaii	$56,637	$27

   Average scientific programmer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Tech Data	$109,199	$52.50
   2	Booz Allen Hamilton	$97,037	$46.65	95
   3	Merck	$96,402	$46.35	5
   4	North Star Imaging	$91,108	$43.80
   5	Cyberdata Technologies	$90,194	$43.36	1
   6	Clario	$89,489	$43.02	3
   7	Ukpeagvik IOoOupiat Corporation	$88,144	$42.38	2
   8	SAIC	$88,017	$42.32	40
   9	Jacobs Engineering Group	$87,280	$41.96
   10	LTC Solutions	$86,750	$41.71
   11	Jacobs Enterprises	$86,528	$41.60	6
   12	Wyle	$86,522	$41.60
   13	Science	$86,522	$41.60	1
   14	Integrated Statistics	$86,296	$41.49
   15	Amarex Clinical Research	$85,793	$41.25
   16	Peraton	$85,754	$41.23	63
   17	Mission Critical Partners	$84,940	$40.84
   18	GC Services Limited Partnership	$84,087	$40.43
   19	The Research Corporation of the University of Hawai'i	$83,542	$40.16
   20	California Institute of Technology	$82,919	$39.86	3

4. Writing a scientific programmer job description

   A scientific programmer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a scientific programmer job description:

   Scientific programmer job description example

   Will support operations at the NOAA Environmental Satellite Processing Center. Responsible for ensuring reliable operation of the systems that decode the data coming from weather satellites, make images, perform scientific analyses to make higher level products. Will make weather products available to National Weather Services (NWS) local forecast offices, NWS supercomputers running advanced numerical models, and a host of other users. Will work in close collaboration with operational analysts, support programmer[s], and government leads. Develop enhancements to satellite data pre and post processing using Python, Fortran, Perl programming languages. Migrate code to Python. Develop updates to GUI analysis software - adding new products, revising views. Develop methods to improve monitoring, error reporting, and automated error mitigation.
   Required Skills
   
   8 years of experience in software development/engineering. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Experience in Unix/Linux, Bash shell. Experience in Perl, Python, Java. Knowledge of Jira, SubVersion tools. Familiarity with Full Software Development Cycle.
   
   Knowledge of satellite ground systems processing. Excellent organizational, written, and verbal communication skills. Ability to prioritize while working on multiple projects simultaneously.
   
   Must be a US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident and able to pass a background investigation to obtain a security badge to enter the applicable government facility.
   
   Desired
   
   * Knowledge of HTML, JavaScript
   * Knowledge of IDL/ENVi based interactive analysis system
   * Familiarity with scientific data formats and Meteorological data formats
   * Working experience using Agile methodology
   * Working experience in Cloud platforms
   * Experience working with NOAA/NESDIS is a plus
   
   Education
   
   BS in physical sciences, engineering, computer science, related discipline or equivalent.
   
   Benefits
   
   All full time employees are eligible for the following benefits upon starting: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Paid Time Off, and 11 Paid Federal Government Holidays.
   
   Location
   
   Work is to be completed on-site in College Park, MD.
   
   ERT is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer - All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right scientific programmer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your scientific programmer job on Zippia to find and recruit scientific programmer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit scientific programmers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   If your interviews with scientific programmer applicants aren't enough to make a decision, you should also consider including a test project. These are often the best, most straightforward, and least bias-prone ways of determining who will likely succeed in the role. If you don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new scientific programmer

   Once you've selected the best scientific programmer candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new scientific programmer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a scientific programmer?