Electro-Optical (EO) Exploitation Specialist / Imagery Scientist

Riverside Research Institute; Fair Oaks (VA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Research is seeking an experienced Electro-Optical (EO) Exploitation Specialist / Imagery Scientist to lead advanced EO/MS data exploitation and GEOINT product development in Falls Church, VA. You will work closely with government customers, engineers, and analysts to refine sensor requirements and deliver mission-focused intelligence.

The role requires a strong image science background, proficiency with ENVI/IDL and GIS tools, and programming in Python or MATLAB.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Remote Sensing, Image Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in EO exploitation, spectral analysis, image science, or related discipline.
• Proficiency with EO exploitation tools ENVI/IDL, ERDAS, ArcGIS, GDAL.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or MATLAB.
• Experience with radiometric, spectral, and spatial exploitation of EO systems.
• Understanding of GEOINT production workflows, standards, and quality requirements.
• Active TS or higher security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced exploitation and analysis of EO, MS, VNIR/SWIR, and related sensor data.
• Generate GEOINT products including feature extraction, change detection, spectral analysis, 3D/DEM products, and assessments.
• Conduct image-quality evaluations, radiometric and geometric corrections, and sensor performance analyses.
• Support modeling, simulation, and characterization of EO systems and collection strategies.
• Develop and apply algorithms for automated detection, classification, and image enhancement using Python, MATLAB, ENVI/IDL.
• Integrate AI/ML techniques to improve exploitation efficiency and automate workflows.
• Collaborate with engineers and mission partners to refine sensor requirements and impacts on exploitation capabilities.
• Prepare and deliver technical briefings, reports, and demonstrations to customers and senior leadership.
• Ensure timely development and delivery of mission-relevant GEOINT products.

Skills

EO exploitation

Python

MATLAB

GEOINT workflows

Security clearance

Image science

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Master’s degree

Tools

ENVI/IDL

ERDAS

ArcGIS

GDAL

Job description

Riverside Overview

Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country’s most challenging technical problems. All Riverside Research opportunities require U.S. Citizenship.

Position Overview

Riverside Research is seeking an experienced Electro-Optical (EO) Exploitation Specialist / Imagery Scientist to support advanced exploitation, research, and analysis of EO and multispectral imagery in Falls Church VA. This role requires a strong foundation in image science, sensor modeling, phenomenology, and production of mission-driven GEOINT products. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with government customers, engineers, and analysts to enhance exploitation workflows and deliver impactful intelligence for DoD and Intelligence Community missions.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced exploitation and analysis of EO, MS, VNIR/SWIR, and related sensor data.

• Generate high-quality GEOINT products, including feature extraction, change detection, spectral analysis, 3D/DEM products, and intelligence assessments.

• Conduct image-quality evaluations, radiometric and geometric corrections, and sensor performance analyses.

• Support modeling, simulation, and characterization of EO systems and collection strategies.

• Develop, refine, and apply algorithms for automated detection, classification, and image enhancement using Python, MATLAB, ENVI/IDL, and similar tools.

• Integrate AI/ML techniques to improve exploitation efficiency and automate analytic workflows.

• Collaborate with engineers and mission partners to refine sensor requirements and assess impacts on exploitation capabilities.

• Prepare and deliver technical briefings, reports, and demonstrations to customers and senior leadership.

• Ensure the timely development and delivery of mission-relevant GEOINT products supporting operational and strategic intelligence requirements.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Remote Sensing, Image Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience.

• 15+ years of experience in EO exploitation, spectral analysis, image science, or a related discipline.

• Proficiency with EO exploitation tools, including ENVI/IDL, ERDAS, ArcGIS, GDAL, or similar platforms.

• Strong programming skills in Python and/or MATLAB.

• Experience with radiometric, spectral, and spatial exploitation of EO systems.

• Understanding of GEOINT production workflows, standards, and quality requirements.

• Active TS or higher security clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Remote Sensing, Image Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

• Experience applying AI/ML techniques to EO or multispectral imagery.

• Familiarity with hyperspectral analysis, photogrammetry, and 3D extraction workflows.

• Understanding of sensor modeling and system performance characterization.

• GEOINT professional certification.

• Experience supporting DoD or Intelligence Community customers.

• Strong written, verbal, and technical presentation skills.

Global Comp

$000,000 $000,000 This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location and other factors.

Closing Statement

Riverside Research Institute is a not-for-profit, technology-oriented defense company, where service to our customers and support of our staff is our overall mission. Riverside is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. Riverside offers comprehensive compensation and benefit packages to our employees. Riverside bases its employment decisions solely on technical experience, qualifications and other job-related criteria related to our organizational purpose as a not-for-profit company, and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran’s status or any other status legally protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.