Senior SAR Imagery Scientist (AI/ML Validation) | TS/SCI
About The Position
Join a mission-focused effort supporting AI assurance and accreditation within GEOINT. Supporting NGA’s Assurance and Governance (QA) office and the Accreditation of AI Models (AGAIM) program, this role is centered on evaluating and validating AI and machine learning models against operational Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery to ensure mission-ready performance and analytic reliability. As a Senior SAR Imagery Scientist, you will apply advanced expertise in SAR collection, phenomenology, image formation, and exploitation techniques to support AI/ML model evaluation efforts across a variety of operational scenarios. You will help assess model accuracy, data quality, and sensor limitations while contributing to structured testing methodologies that align with GEOINT standards and mission requirements. In this role, you will conduct detailed imagery analysis, support the refinement of analytic workflows, and contribute to the development of processes that improve algorithm performance and operational usability. Your work will play a direct role in validating analytic outputs, maintaining quality standards, and supporting the advancement of automated GEOINT capabilities. You will also collaborate closely with Government stakeholders and cross-functional teams to deliver integrated, high-confidence assessments while providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior personnel supporting the mission. If you are a SAR professional looking to apply your expertise to cutting-edge AI/ML validation efforts supporting real-world intelligence operations, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
Requirements
- Active TS/SCI clearance with willingness to undergo a CI Polygraph exam
- 4+ years of experience supporting SAR exploitation activities with strong understanding of collection, phenomenology, image formation processes, exploitation methods, and analytic workflows
- Ability to support evaluation, validation, and quality control activities for SAR analytic outputs and operational datasets
- Application of SAR imagery to identify the occurrence and location of objects of interest (OOI)
- Proficiency with analytic and scripting tools such as Python, MATLAB, or similar environments
- Strong understanding of remote sensing principles, GEOINT tradecraft, and advanced imagery exploitation methodologies
- Experience performing spatial analysis and working with geospatial datasets within operational or analytic environments
- Ability to communicate SAR capabilities, analytic findings, and technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Experience working with GEOINT tools, databases, and reporting systems
- Ability to mentor junior analysts and contribute within collaborative, team-based analytic environments
- Capacity to work independently while maintaining high-quality analytic standards and mission accountability
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with computer vision (CV) and machine learning techniques as applied to SAR imagery
Responsibilities
- Evaluate and validate AI and machine learning models against operational Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery.
- Assess model accuracy, data quality, and sensor limitations.
- Contribute to structured testing methodologies that align with GEOINT standards and mission requirements.
- Conduct detailed imagery analysis.
- Support the refinement of analytic workflows.
- Contribute to the development of processes that improve algorithm performance and operational usability.
- Validate analytic outputs and maintain quality standards.
- Support the advancement of automated GEOINT capabilities.
- Collaborate closely with Government stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior personnel.
Benefits
- Flexible healthcare, dental, and vision plans
- Paid time off (PTO) and 11 federal holidays
- Matching 401(k) plan
- Short- and long-term disability, life insurance, cancer insurance, and pet insurance
- Ongoing professional development and advancement opportunities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Associate degree
