Expert SAR Imagery Scientist

Geo Owl • Springfield, VA

1d • Remote

About The Position

As the Expert SAR Imagery Scientist and modality lead for NGA's Accreditation of GEOINT AI Models (AGAIM) program, you will be responsible for ensuring that every AI model used for national security functions correctly against real operational imagery. You will identify necessary imagery, assess new sensors against evolving model requirements, and drive the technical direction for SAR imagery within the AGAIM program. This role requires you to be the authoritative subject matter expert on synthetic aperture radar, directing technical work to identify and acquire SAR imagery for Level 3 AI model accreditation testing. You will analyze model cards, data cards, and test procedures to determine imagery needs, acquisition strategies, and pre-processing requirements. Additionally, you will lead the SAR team, mentor junior scientists, and liaise with the AGAIM government team on all SAR-related matters. This is a fully remote role conducted within a SCIF at a contractor facility.

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI clearance with eligibility for SI/TK/G/HCS/NATO access; CI polygraph required or willingness to obtain.
• Minimum 18 experience points required (calculated based on education, professional experience, certifications, specialized training, and professional impact).
• 6+ years as a SAR expert with deep understanding of collection, phenomenology, image formation process, and exploitation products.
• Experience using SARPy and MATLAB SAR toolbox.
• Experience with RNIIRS, information theoretic-based image quality metrics, SAR imagery quality metrics (Integrated Sidelobe Ratio, Multiplicative Noise Ratio), and sensor metadata describing geometry impacts on phenomenology (graze, squint, azimuth).
• Experience exploiting SAR to determine the occurrence and location of objects of interest.
• Experience developing, testing, and evaluating algorithms and processes using SAR imagery.
• Proficiency with Python, MATLAB, Google Earth Engine, or similar advanced processing tools.
• Experience communicating SAR imagery capabilities, methodologies, and products to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Deep understanding of remote sensing principles, imagery processing, and advanced exploitation methods.
• Available during NGA core hours (10am–2pm EST) for government meetings and technical discussions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience applying computer vision (CV) and machine learning (ML) techniques to SAR imagery to address intelligence problems.

Responsibilities

• Identify and acquire priority SAR imagery necessary to conduct Level 3 AI model accreditation testing, at the direction of the AGAIM government team.
• Conduct assessments of new and emerging sensor characteristics, capabilities, metadata, and format differences compared to currently utilized platforms.
• Determine data acquisition pathways, latency factors, formats, and security domain requirements for new SAR data sources.
• Define pre-processing and standardization requirements to transform SAR data into states usable for labeling and model testing, including file format conversion and geospatial tiling.
• Investigate sensor capability gaps; identify supplemental sources and coincident imagery platforms with matching geographic and temporal coverage.
• Perform imagery forecasting to anticipate future accreditation testing needs based on incoming model pipeline and operational developments.
• Develop, test, and evaluate new SAR algorithms, processes, and methodologies using advanced tools to advance AGAIM's accreditation capabilities.
• Lead, guide, and technically mentor the SAR team.
• Interface with the AGAIM government team on all SAR-related requirements and recommendations.
• Explore coincident EO imagery options that align geographically and temporally with SAR collections and coordinate with the EO lead.

Benefits

• Health Insurance (Geo Owl pays 80%+ of the premium).
• 401k matching.
• Dental, Vision, and other supplemental insurance plans available.
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability and life insurance.
• Peer-to-Peer spot bonuses.
• 120 hours of PTO per year plus federal holidays.
• Fully Paid Military Leave: You make your full Geo Owl salary while you are on military duty.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior