diff --git a/devbuild.sh b/devbuild.sh
index 0a35409246..5547b971f3 100755
--- a/devbuild.sh
+++ b/devbuild.sh
@@ -1,76 +1,237 @@
 #!/bin/bash
-set -eu
-
-#cd to location of script
-MYDIR=$(cd "$(dirname "$(readlink -f -n "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}" )" )" && pwd -P)
 
+# usage instructions
 usage () {
-  echo "Usage: "
-  echo "  $0 PLATFORM COMPILER"
-  echo ""
-  echo "PLATFORM: Name of machine you are building on"
-  echo "COMPILER: (optional) compiler to use; valid options are 'intel', 'gnu'"
-  echo ""
-  echo "NOTE: This script is for internal developer use only;"
-  echo "See User's Guide for detailed build instructions"
+cat << EOF_USAGE
+Usage: $0 PLATFORM [OPTIONS]...
+
+PLATFORM
+      name of machine you are building on
+      (e.g. cheyenne | hera | jet | orion | wcoss)
+
+OPTIONS
+  -h, --help
+      show this help guide
+  --compiler=COMPILER
+      compiler to use; default depends on platform
+      (e.g. intel | gnu | cray | gccgfortran)
+  --app=APPLICATION
+      weather model application to build
+      (e.g. ATM | ATMW | S2S | S2SW)
+  --ccpp="CCPP_SUITE1,CCPP_SUITE2..."
+      CCCP suites to include in build; delimited with ','
+  --enable-options="OPTION1,OPTION2,..."
+      enable ufs-weather-model options; delimited with ','
+      (e.g. 32BIT | INLINE_POST | UFS_GOCART | MOM6 | CICE6 | WW3 | CMEPS)
+  --disable-options="OPTION1,OPTION2,..."
+      disable ufs-weather-model options; delimited with ','
+      (e.g. 32BIT | INLINE_POST | UFS_GOCART | MOM6 | CICE6 | WW3 | CMEPS)
+  --continue
+      continue with existing build
+  --clean
+      removes existing build; overrides --continue
+  --build-dir=BUILD_DIR
+      build directory
+  --install-dir=INSTALL_DIR
+      installation prefix
+  --build-type=BUILD_TYPE
+      build type; defaults to RELEASE
+      (e.g. DEBUG | RELEASE | RELWITHDEBINFO)
+  --build-jobs=BUILD_JOBS
+      number of build jobs; defaults to 4
+  -v, --verbose
+      build with verbose output
+
+NOTE: This script is for internal developer use only;
+See User's Guide for detailed build instructions
+
+EOF_USAGE
 }
 
-PLATFORM="${1:-NONE}"
-COMPILER="${2:-intel}"
+# print settings
+settings () {
+cat << EOF_SETTINGS
+Settings:
 
+  SRC_DIR=${SRC_DIR}
+  BUILD_DIR=${BUILD_DIR}
+  INSTALL_DIR=${INSTALL_DIR}
+  PLATFORM=${PLATFORM}
+  COMPILER=${COMPILER}
+  APP=${APPLICATION}
+  CCPP=${CCPP}
+  ENABLE_OPTIONS=${ENABLE_OPTIONS}
+  DISABLE_OPTIONS=${DISABLE_OPTIONS}
+  CLEAN=${CLEAN}
+  CONTINUE=${CONTINUE}
+  BUILD_TYPE=${BUILD_TYPE}
+  BUILD_JOBS=${BUILD_JOBS}
+  VERBOSE=${VERBOSE}
 
-if [ $# -lt 1 ]; then 
-  echo "ERROR: not enough arguments"
-  usage
-  exit 1
-fi
-if [ $# -gt 2 ]; then
-  echo "ERROR: too many arguments"
-  usage
+EOF_SETTINGS
+}
+
+# print usage error and exit
+usage_error () {
+  printf "ERROR: $1\n" >&2
+  usage >&2
   exit 1
-fi
+}
 
-if [ "$1" = "--help" ] || [ "$1" = "-h" ]; then 
+# default settings
+LCL_PID=$$
+SRC_DIR=$(cd "$(dirname "$(readlink -f -n "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}" )" )" && pwd -P)
+MACHINE_SETUP=${SRC_DIR}/src/UFS_UTILS/sorc/machine-setup.sh
+BUILD_DIR=${SRC_DIR}/build
+INSTALL_DIR=${SRC_DIR}
+PLATFORM=""
+COMPILER=""
+APPLICATION=""
+CCPP=""
+ENABLE_OPTIONS=""
+DISABLE_OPTIONS=""
+BUILD_TYPE="RELEASE"
+BUILD_JOBS=4
+CLEAN=false
+CONTINUE=false
+VERBOSE=false
+
+# process required arguments
+if [[ ("$1" == "--help") || ("$1" == "-h") ]]; then
   usage
   exit 0
+elif [[ ($# -lt 1) || ("$1" == "-"*) ]]; then
+  usage_error "missing platform"
+else
+  PLATFORM=$1
+  shift
+fi
+
+# process optional arguments
+while :; do
+  case $1 in
+    --help|-h) usage; exit 0 ;;
+    --compiler=?*) COMPILER=${1#*=} ;;
+    --compiler|--compiler=) usage_error "$1 requires argument." ;;
+    --app=?*) APPLICATION=${1#*=} ;;
+    --app|--app=) usage_error "$1 requires argument." ;;
+    --ccpp=?*) CCPP=${1#*=} ;;
+    --ccpp|--ccpp=) usage_error "$1 requires argument." ;;
+    --enable-options=?*) ENABLE_OPTIONS=${1#*=} ;;
+    --enable-options|--enable-options=) usage_error "$1 requires argument." ;;
+    --disable-options=?*) DISABLE_OPTIONS=${1#*=} ;;
+    --disable-options|--disable-options=) usage_error "$1 requires argument." ;;
+    --clean) CLEAN=true ;;
+    --clean=?*|--clean=) usage_error "$1 argument ignored." ;;
+    --continue) CONTINUE=true ;;
+    --continue=?*|--continue=) usage_error "$1 argument ignored." ;;
+    --build-dir=?*) BUILD_DIR=${1#*=} ;;
+    --build-dir|--build-dir=) usage_error "$1 requires argument." ;;
+    --install-dir=?*) INSTALL_DIR=${1#*=} ;;
+    --install-dir|--install-dir=) usage_error "$1 requires argument." ;;
+    --build-type=?*) BUILD_TYPE=${1#*=} ;;
+    --build-type|--build-type=) usage_error "$1 requires argument." ;;
+    --build-jobs=?*) BUILD_JOBS=$((${1#*=})) ;;
+    --build-jobs|--build-jobs=) usage_error "$1 requires argument." ;;
+    --verbose|-v) VERBOSE=true ;;
+    --verbose=?*|--verbose=) usage_error "$1 argument ignored." ;;
+    -?*|?*) usage_error "Unknown option $1" ;;
+    *) break
+  esac
+  shift
+done
+
+set -eu
+
+# automatically determine compiler
+if [ -z "${COMPILER}" ] ; then
+  case ${PLATFORM} in
+    jet|hera) COMPILER=intel ;;
+    orion) COMPILER=intel ;;
+    wcoss) COMPILER=cray_intel ;;
+    cheyenne) COMPILER=intel ;;
+    macos) COMPILER=gccgfortran ;;
+    *) printf "ERROR: Unknown platform ${PLATFORM}\n" >&2; usage >&2; exit 1 ;;
+  esac
+fi
+
+# print settings
+if [ "${VERBOSE}" = true ] ; then
+  settings
 fi
 
-ENV_FILE="env/build_${PLATFORM}_${COMPILER}.env"
-if [ ! -f "$ENV_FILE" ]; then
-  echo "ERROR: environment file ($ENV_FILE) does not exist for this platform/compiler combination"
-  echo "PLATFORM=$PLATFORM"
-  echo "COMPILER=$COMPILER"
-  echo ""
-  echo "See User's Guide for detailed build instructions"
+# set ENV_FILE for this platform/compiler combination
+ENV_FILE="${SRC_DIR}/env/build_${PLATFORM}_${COMPILER}.env"
+if [ ! -f "${ENV_FILE}" ]; then
+  printf "ERROR: environment file does not exist for platform/compiler\n" >&2
+  printf "  ENV_FILE=${ENV_FILE}\n" >&2
+  printf "  PLATFORM=${PLATFORM}\n" >&2
+  printf "  COMPILER=${COMPILER}\n\n" >&2
+  usage >&2
   exit 64
 fi
 
-# If build directory already exists, offer a choice
-BUILD_DIR=${MYDIR}/build
-
-if [ -d "${BUILD_DIR}" ]; then
-  while true; do
-    echo "Build directory (${BUILD_DIR}) already exists! Please choose what to do:"
-    echo ""
-    echo "[R]emove the existing directory"
-    echo "[C]ontinue building in the existing directory"
-    echo "[Q]uit this build script"
-    read -p "Choose an option (R/C/Q):" choice
-    case $choice in
-      [Rr]* ) rm -rf ${BUILD_DIR}; break;;
-      [Cc]* ) break;;
-      [Qq]* ) exit;;
-      * ) echo "Invalid option selected.\n";;
-    esac
-  done
+# if build directory already exists then exit
+if [ "${CLEAN}" = true ]; then
+  printf "Remove build directory\n"
+  printf "  BUILD_DIR=${BUILD_DIR}\n\n"
+  rm -rf ${BUILD_DIR}
+elif [ "${CONTINUE}" = true ]; then
+  printf "Continue build in directory\n"
+  printf "  BUILD_DIR=${BUILD_DIR}\n\n"
+else
+  if [ -d "${BUILD_DIR}" ]; then
+    while true; do
+      if [[ $(ps -o stat= -p ${LCL_PID}) != *"+"* ]] ; then
+        printf "ERROR: Build directory already exists\n" >&2
+        printf "  BUILD_DIR=${BUILD_DIR}\n\n" >&2
+        usage >&2
+        exit 64
+      fi
+      # interactive selection
+      printf "Build directory (${BUILD_DIR}) already exists\n"
+      printf "Please choose what to do:\n\n"
+      printf "[R]emove the existing directory\n"
+      printf "[C]ontinue building in the existing directory\n"
+      printf "[Q]uit this build script\n"
+      read -p "Choose an option (R/C/Q):" choice
+      case ${choice} in
+        [Rr]* ) rm -rf ${BUILD_DIR}; break ;;
+        [Cc]* ) break ;;
+        [Qq]* ) exit ;;
+        * ) printf "Invalid option selected.\n" ;;
+      esac
+    done
+  fi
 fi
 
-# Source the README file for this platform/compiler combination, then build the code
-. $ENV_FILE
+# cmake settings
+CMAKE_SETTINGS="-DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=${INSTALL_DIR}"
+CMAKE_SETTINGS="${CMAKE_SETTINGS} -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${BUILD_TYPE}"
+if [ ! -z "${APPLICATION}" ]; then
+  CMAKE_SETTINGS="${CMAKE_SETTINGS} -DAPP=${APPLICATION}"
+fi
+if [ ! -z "${CCPP}" ]; then
+  CMAKE_SETTINGS="${CMAKE_SETTINGS} -DCCPP=${CCPP}"
+fi
+if [ ! -z "${ENABLE_OPTIONS}" ]; then
+  CMAKE_SETTINGS="${CMAKE_SETTINGS} -DENABLE_OPTIONS=${ENABLE_OPTIONS}"
+fi
+if [ ! -z "${DISABLE_OPTIONS}" ]; then
+  CMAKE_SETTINGS="${CMAKE_SETTINGS} -DDISABLE_OPTIONS=${DISABLE_OPTIONS}"
+fi
+
+# make settings
+MAKE_SETTINGS="-j ${BUILD_JOBS}"
+if [ "${VERBOSE}" = true ]; then
+  MAKE_SETTINGS="${MAKE_SETTINGS} VERBOSE=1"
+fi
 
+# source the README file for this platform/compiler combination, then build the code
+. ${ENV_FILE}
 mkdir -p ${BUILD_DIR}
 cd ${BUILD_DIR}
-cmake .. -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=.. 2>&1 | tee log.cmake
-make -j ${BUILD_JOBS:-4} 2>&1 | tee log.make
+cmake ${SRC_DIR} ${CMAKE_SETTINGS} 2>&1 | tee log.cmake
+make ${MAKE_SETTINGS} 2>&1 | tee log.make
 
 exit 0
diff --git a/src/CMakeLists.txt b/src/CMakeLists.txt
index d0384584b6..1adffe5eed 100644
--- a/src/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/src/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -11,19 +11,51 @@ if(NOT CCPP_SUITES)
   set(CCPP_SUITES "FV3_CPT_v0,FV3_GFS_2017_gfdlmp,FV3_GFS_2017_gfdlmp_regional,FV3_GSD_SAR,FV3_GSD_v0,FV3_GFS_v15p2,FV3_GFS_v16,FV3_RRFS_v1beta,FV3_HRRR,FV3_RRFS_v1alpha")
 endif()
 
+if(NOT APP)
+  set(APP "ATM")
+endif()
+
+if(NOT CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
+  set(CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE "RELEASE")
+endif()
+
+list(APPEND UFS_WEATHER_MODEL_ARGS
+  "-DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}"
+  "-DCCPP_SUITES=${CCPP_SUITES}"
+  "-DCMAKE_C_COMPILER=${MPI_C_COMPILER}"
+  "-DCMAKE_CXX_COMPILER=${MPI_CXX_COMPILER}"
+  "-DCMAKE_Fortran_COMPILER=${MPI_Fortran_COMPILER}"
+  "-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=${CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE}"
+  "-DNETCDF_DIR=$ENV{NETCDF}"
+  "-D32BIT=ON"
+  "-DINLINE_POST=ON"
+  "-DAPP=${APP}"
+)
+
+string(TOUPPER "${CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE}" TOUPPER_CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE)
+if (TOUPPER_CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE MATCHES "DEBUG")
+  list(APPEND UFS_WEATHER_MODEL_ARGS "-DDEBUG=ON")
+endif()
+
+if (ENABLE_OPTIONS)
+  string(REPLACE "," ";" ENABLE_OPTIONS "${ENABLE_OPTIONS}")
+  foreach (option_on IN ITEMS ${ENABLE_OPTIONS})
+    list(APPEND UFS_WEATHER_MODEL_ARGS "-D${option_on}=ON")
+  endforeach()
+endif()
+
+if (DISABLE_OPTIONS)
+  string(REPLACE "," ";" DISABLE_OPTIONS "${DISABLE_OPTIONS}")
+  foreach (option_off IN ITEMS ${DISABLE_OPTIONS})
+    list(APPEND UFS_WEATHER_MODEL_ARGS "-D${option_off}=OFF")
+  endforeach()
+endif()
+
 ExternalProject_Add(ufs-weather-model
   PREFIX ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/ufs-weather-model
   SOURCE_DIR ${CMAKE_CURRENT_SOURCE_DIR}/ufs-weather-model
   INSTALL_DIR ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}
-  CMAKE_ARGS   "-DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}"
-               "-DCCPP_SUITES=${CCPP_SUITES}"
-               "-DCMAKE_C_COMPILER=${MPI_C_COMPILER}"
-               "-DCMAKE_CXX_COMPILER=${MPI_CXX_COMPILER}"
-               "-DCMAKE_Fortran_COMPILER=${MPI_Fortran_COMPILER}"
-               "-DNETCDF_DIR=$ENV{NETCDF}"
-               "-D32BIT=ON"
-               "-DINLINE_POST=ON"
-               "-DAPP=ATM"
+  CMAKE_ARGS ${UFS_WEATHER_MODEL_ARGS}
   INSTALL_COMMAND mkdir -p ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/bin && cp ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR}/ufs-weather-model/src/ufs-weather-model-build/ufs_model ${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}/bin/
   )