Computational Imaging Engineer

MITRE; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 104,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

MITRE’s CH&OS Department seeks a Computational Imaging Engineer to advance computer vision and image processing across large datasets. You will apply optics, ML, and scientific computing to validate new sensing solutions and support data collection efforts.

The role emphasizes on-site collaboration, lab work with camera systems, and interdisciplinary teamwork to deliver high-impact results for national security and public-interest missions.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of related experience or a master’s degree.
• Degree in Physics, Engineering, or a related field.
• Training, understanding, and research in optics, machine learning and image processing.
• Research experience in computer vision, especially data classification and analysis of large datasets.
• Experience with camera systems, optical alignment, and microscopy.
• Ability to evaluate technologies and communicate potential/limits of capabilities.
• Strong written and oral communication for technical/nontechnical audiences.
• Ability to work with a team on government challenges.

Responsibilities

• Process and analyze large image-based datasets across disciplines.
• Develop computer vision algorithms and ML models for imaging tasks.
• Assist in camera calibration, optical alignment, and microscopy experiments.
• Integrate new sensing solutions with data collection efforts.
• Prepare technical reports, proposals, and presentations for stakeholders.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

Computer vision

Machine learning

Optics

Data analysis

Education

Master's degree in Physics or Engineering

Tools

Camera systems

Photogrammetry pipelines

LiDAR data processing

Camera calibration

Job description

At MITRE, your passion fuels work that impacts our nation and improves lives. This is where your skills strengthen national security, cybersecurity, health, transportation, and citizen services. We’re a nonprofit engineering, applied research, and advanced technology organization working in the public interest. With objectivity and integrity at our core, we lead federally funded research and development centers for U.S. government agencies – collaborating with industry and academia to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions that advance our nation’s health, security, and prosperity. Our people tackle the toughest technical challenges, supported by competitive benefits, meaningful career development, and a culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. Choose MITRE for a career with purpose — and help shape the future.

Department Summary:

MITRE Technology and Engineering inspires breakthroughs in applied science and advanced technology to transform the future of U.S. scientific and economic leadership. Our goal: innovation from sea to space to support our mission of serving in the public interest. In addition to executing on a rich set of challenges through the six Federal Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) that MITRE operates on behalf of its sponsors, MITRE Technology and Engineering works with broader federal, state, and local government to develop robust partnerships with industry and academia to drive impact in the public interest. In support of this mission, MITRE Technology and Engineering operates several Innovation Centers which focus on various technologies. The Emerging Technologies Innovation Center (ETIC) focuses on emerging technologies that can provide transformational solutions to MITRE sponsors in the mid to long-term. The Chemical and Optical Sciences (CH&OS) Department within ETIC provides innovative solutions to address new opportunities and challenges associated with these and other novel emerging technologies. The CH&OS Department serves as a vanguard for MITRE to meet the future needs of our customers, requiring technical excellence while encouraging creativity and fostering interest in current and emerging technologies across its diverse employees.

The CH&OS department is seeking a Computational Imaging Engineer who can work across disciplines, providing expertise in computer vision, numerical analysis, optical laboratory experimentation, and machine learning, with a particular focus on processing and analysis of large image-based datasets. Additional tasking may include work in camera calibration and integration, computer vision algorithm development, and integration of new and existing sensing solutions in support of related data collection efforts.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 3 years of related experience or a master’s degree
• Degree in Physics, Engineering, or a related field
• Training, understanding, and research experience in optics, machine learning and image processing
• Research experience in computer vision, particularly related to data classification and analysis of large datasets
• Experience and interest in laboratory experimentation, including experimental design, experience with camera systems, optical alignment, and microscopy
• Ability to evaluate technologies objectively, identify critical technical risks, and communicate both the potential and limitations of emerging capabilities
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including experience preparing technical reports, proposals, decision briefings, and presentations for technical and nontechnical audiences
• Ability to work with a team to address government challenges
• The ability to think critically and be proactive in pursuing research and problem-solving
• Expertise in scientific computing languages, including Python and MATLAB
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S Government issued Security Clearance. Per the U.S. Government’s eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
• This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week on-site

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in photogrammetric data analysis, and design/buildout of photogrammetry pipelines
• Experience processing LiDAR data and algorithm development related thereto
• Expertise in Fourier analysis, Fourier optics, gaussian mixture modeling, and/or unsupervised machine learning
• Active Secret security clearance

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$103,600 - $129,500 - $155,400 Annual

Work Location Type:

Onsite

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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