Dr. Wiltberger’s main area of research is the modeling of the magnetosphere and its interaction with the solar wind and coupled thermosphere-ionosphere system. His work includes the development of new models, analysis of model results, and dissemination of research findings, with a focus on understanding the fundamental physical processes involved in magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling.

He currently serves as Deputy Director of the NSF NCAR High Altitude Observatory (HAO) and as Deputy Director of the Center for Geospace Storms (CGS). From 2017–2021, he completed a successful rotation at the National Science Foundation as head of the Geospace Section. He has serves as a member of the White House Space Weather Advisory Group (SWAG) and was part of the Space Weather Panel of the 2024 Solar and Space Physics Decadal Survey.  Dr. Wiltberger has also contributed as chair of the GEM Steering Committee, vice-chair of the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Science and Technology Committee (STAC) on Space Weather. He is the author or co-author of more than 160 refereed publications and has delivered over 125 invited presentations at scientific conferences.