OPIR/Remote Sensing Algorithm Lead
About The Position
The Aerospace Corporation is seeking an OPIR/Remote Sensing Algorithm Lead for its Imagery Processing and Exploitation Department within the Mission Payloads Division. The department supports U.S. Government space programs by applying expertise in national space systems, technology, image processing, and signal processing to space-based remote sensing. Its work includes developing algorithms and applying mathematical principles to assess, develop, and exploit spatial, spectral, and temporal data from advanced satellites and space systems. The selected candidate will lead technical teams working on multi-sensor data analysis, exploitation, and integration, including overhead persistent infrared (OPIR) mission areas. The role coordinates concurrent project efforts, guides processing-technique development, performs independent verification and validation of algorithms, and delivers analytical products to senior government customers. The candidate also represents the working group to Aerospace management and government customers and mentors technical staff. This position requires full-time on-site work at the El Segundo, California facility.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a related STEM field, particularly Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Atmospheric Science, Computer Science, or Optical or Electrical Engineering.
- Sixteen years in roles of increasing engineering/scientific and project-leadership responsibility, including at least eight years directly supporting OPIR or national space-based remote sensing programs for the Space Force, National Reconnaissance Office, or Air Force.
- Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance.
- Demonstrated experience leading and integrating multidisciplinary technical efforts across complex defense or intelligence remote sensing programs, including identifying issues, prioritizing tasks, and coordinating concurrent project activities.
- Demonstrated experience serving as a principal technical representative or spokesperson to government customers and senior management.
- Extensive experience mentoring and developing junior and mid-career staff in detection or tracking algorithms and their application to imagery data.
- Adeptness in modeling and simulation, test-data generation, algorithm-performance trade studies, and reporting findings to stakeholders.
- Extensive numerical programming experience using Python, Matlab, and/or C++.
- Proven technical leadership, personal accountability, and adaptability to changing customer expectations.
Nice To Haves
- Experience scoping task requirements and monitoring budgets, schedules, and staffing.
- Experience supporting new-business capture or technical-planning efforts.
- Experience applying artificial intelligence or computer-vision methods to detection and tracking applications.
- Demonstrated ability to teach complex technical topics.
- Expertise in linear algebra and spectral theory, demonstrated through publications, patents, or technical reports using spectral methods; production-grade algorithms relying on eigenvalue analysis, SVD, or related techniques; or an advanced degree in a related STEM field.
- Advanced degree in a related STEM field, particularly Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Atmospheric Science, Computer Science, or Optical or Electrical Engineering.
- Experience writing sensor-scheduling algorithms.
- Published work in scientific journals or technical conferences on remote sensing or algorithm development and analysis.
Responsibilities
- Lead junior and senior staff teams addressing multi-sensor data analysis, exploitation, and integration, including OPIR mission areas.
- Coordinate concurrent efforts across several smaller projects or portions of a larger, multi-phase remote sensing project, maintaining technical consistency and on-time delivery.
- Guide the application of mathematical principles to evaluate, develop, and select processing techniques for calibration, background suppression, signal augmentation, target detection, geolocation, and multi-target and multi-sensor tracking.
- Apply end-to-end knowledge of data exploitation and analytics to independently verify and validate image and signal processing algorithms and inform trade studies for optimizing space-payload performance.
- Deliver multi-phenomenology solutions, specialized visualizations, and analytical reports for senior government customers.
- Identify issues, prioritize tasks, and represent the working group to Aerospace management and senior government customers.
- Mentor staff by providing technical guidance and development insight.
- Conduct modeling and simulation, generate test data, perform algorithm-performance trade studies, and report findings to stakeholders.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
- Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
- Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
- 401(k) plan with company-paid benefits based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire
- Flexible spending accounts
- Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
- Relocation assistance
- Professional growth and development programs
- Education assistance programs
- Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
