Subject Matter Expert - Remote Sensing/Nuclear Detection Activity

RSI; Trillo; On-site; EUR 160,000 - 214,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO plan

Medical, dental, vision benefits

401K match

Job summary

RSI seeks a Subject Matter Expert in Remote Sensing and Nuclear Activity Detection to operate from Washington, DC, guiding technical analyses and program reviews for nuclear monitoring efforts.

The role covers sensor system concepts (satellites, high-altitude platforms), evaluation of AI/ML approaches, and collaboration with government, labs, and industry partners to deliver actionable intelligence and strategic recommendations.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) preferred in a relevant field.
• 20+ years of specialized experience in nuclear detection or remote sensing.
• Deep understanding of nuclear signatures and sensing modalities.
• Experience with satellite or airborne sensing systems.
• Strong modeling, analysis and technical writing skills.
• Active Q/Top Secret/SCI clearance or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME on remote detection of nuclear materials and facilities from airborne, satellite, and other platforms.
• Lead program reviews, conference reviews, and technical advisement for nuclear monitoring efforts.
• Guide sensor systems development: payloads, high-altitude platforms, and ground-based arrays.
• Evaluate AI/ML and advanced spectroscopy technologies for detection.
• Produce intelligence-quality assessments and brief leadership on threat environments.
• Coordinate with interagency partners and international entities; present findings clearly.

Skills

Modeling

Analysis

Technical writing

Remote sensing

Education

MS or PhD preferred in Nuclear Eng / Physics / Remote Sensing

Advanced degree in related discipline

Tools

SAR

Hyperspectral imaging

Radiation detection instrumentation

AI/ML anomaly detection

Orbital mechanics

Job description

Subject Matter Expert – Remote Sensing & Nuclear Activity Detection

About RSI

RSI is a dynamic group of companies that has provided services to major federal clients and Fortune 500 engineering and construction companies since 1996. We have experience in complex, highly regulated markets providing environmental, nuclear, construction management, project delivery, and specialty professional services while maintaining an excellent safety record. We offer a full range of benefits including a generous PTO plan, paid holidays, medical, dental, vision, 401K (100% match up to 4% eligible compensation) and 100% immediate vesting, basic and supplemental life insurance, and short- and long-term disability.

RSI is headquartered in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and is a wholly owned operating company of ASRC Industrial (AIS). AIS is a wholly owned operating company of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC), an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC). Through ASRC, we are a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), and we also offer 8(a) options.

Position Summary

RSI seeks a highly experienced Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Remote Sensing and Nuclear Activity Detection located in Washington, DC. to support program reviews and conferences on mission‑critical efforts to prevent, detect, and deter nuclear proliferation worldwide. This SME will lead assigned technical analysis, program and conference reviews, and operational advisement for detecting nuclear-related activities from stand‑off ranges greater than 100 meters from a facility, including airborne, orbital, deep‑space, and planetary-based sensing platforms. The role requires technical expertise in nuclear signatures—radiological, spectral, thermal, seismic, neutron, gamma, and other modalities—and the integration of remote systems capable of identifying, characterizing, and assessing nuclear-related operations

Primary Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Analysis

• Serve as the primary technical authority/SME on remote detection of nuclear materials, activities, and facilities, including from airborne, satellite, and extraterrestrial platforms.
• Understand the technology behind analyzing nuclear, radiological, and associated signatures detectable at long ranges, including optical, infrared, multispectral/hyperspectral, RF, gamma/neutron, and charged-particle detection pathways.
• Understand and interpret models for nuclear activity indicators such as:
  • Uranium enrichment operations
  • Reprocessing signatures
  • Reactor operations
  • Radiological source movement
  • Nuclear testing or subcritical experiments
• Participate in assigned Program Reviews and Conferences pertinent to your Area of expertise regarding remote sensing.

Systems Development & Integration

• Provide technical guidance for advanced sensor systems, including:
  • Satellite payloads
  • High-altitude platforms (balloons, UAVs)
  • Ground-based long-range detection arrays
  • Deep-space or planetary remote-sensing systems
• Evaluate emerging technologies (AI/ML-based detection, quantum sensors, advanced spectroscopy, wide-area persistent surveillance).
• Support R&D programs across government, laboratory, academic, and industry partners.

Operational & Strategic Mission Support

• Produce intelligence‑quality assessments on foreign nuclear programs using remote sensing data as assigned
• Advise leadership on the threat environment, system vulnerabilities, and technology gaps.
• Support the development of national strategies and policies for nuclear non‑proliferation monitoring and verification.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate with interagency partners, national laboratories, the intelligence community, defense agencies, internal program office team members and international entities, as assigned.
• Present complex technical findings to diverse audiences, including senior government officials.
• Develop technical briefings, white papers, risk assessments, and program review reports.

Required Education And Experience

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D. preferred) in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, Remote Sensing, Radiological Science, Space Systems Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 20+ years of specialized experience in nuclear detection, remote sensing, or non-proliferation missions.
• Deep understanding of nuclear signatures and relevant sensing modalities (e.g., gamma/neutron detection, hyperspectral imaging, thermal infrared analysis, RF anomaly detection).
• Understanding of satellite or airborne sensing systems, or high‑altitude/space-based detection platforms.
• Strong modeling, analysis, and technical writing skills.
• Must have an active Q/Top Secret/SCI security clearance (or equivalent agency requirement).

Desired Qualifications

• The aptitude to assist the program team on any task assigned from hanging posters at program reviews and conferences to taking meeting minutes in assigned mission critical meetings as well as performing your SME work scope on complex-wide program proposals reviews and assessments. This is a deal breaker, if the new team member is not willing to step outside the box and help the other team members accomplish NNSA Program Missions.
• Experience working with DOE/NNSA, DoD, NASA, or the Intelligence Community.
• Familiarity with nuclear fuel cycle processes, facility operations, and proliferation pathways.
• Hands‑on experience with:
  • Synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
  • Hyperspectral/multispectral payloads
  • Radiation detection instrumentation
  • AI/ML anomaly detection for overhead imagery or sensor data
  • Knowledge of orbital mechanics, space mission design, or planetary remote sensing.

Clearance and Health Regiments

• Criminal Background Check
• Pre-placement Drug Screening

This position requires a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card; or a U.S. passport as long as it clearly displays issuance date, expiration date, and color photo image. This is a mandatory requirement necessary for access to company facilities and/or for travel purposes. REAL ID-compliant driver’s licenses are identifiable by a gold star in the upper right corner.

EEO Statement

RSI is equal opportunity in employment to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, pregnancy, familial status, disability status, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected under Federal, State or Local law. AIS is an Equal Opportunity Employer .