Exploitation Specialist / Data Manager

Riverside Research Institute; Fair Oaks (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Research Institute seeks an experienced Exploitation Specialist/Data Manager to provide advanced exploitation support and drive GEOINT data workflows. This senior role combines tradecraft with technical leadership to ensure analysts access high-quality datasets and exploitation-ready imagery.

The ideal candidate will lead data ecosystems, supervise data workflows, mentor staff, and collaborate with DoD and IC stakeholders to optimize collection strategies and SOPs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Data Management, Remote Sensing, Geography, Image Science, a related field or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of GEOINT data management, imagery exploitation, or related analytical experience.
• Hands-on experience with exploitation tools (ENVI/IDL, ArcGIS, QGIS, ERDAS, or similar).
• Proficiency in workflow automation or scripting (Python preferred).
• Strong understanding of IC/DoD production standards, data policies, and mission priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the management, organization, and curation of large, multi-sensor GEOINT datasets.
• Oversee structured data workflows, enforce metadata standards, and ensure lineage across products.
• Perform advanced exploitation tasks, generating change detection, feature extraction, and multi-sensor outputs.
• Supervise and optimize mission data workflows, identify inefficiencies, and implement improvements.
• Conduct data-quality validation, anomaly resolution, and compliance checks against DoD and IC standards.
• Guide developers and engineering partners on data requirements and collection strategy optimization.

Skills

GEOINT data management

Imagery exploitation

Python scripting

Metadata standards

Stakeholder engagement

Data governance

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Data Management, Remote Sensing, Geography, Image Science, or related field

Tools

ENVI/IDL

ArcGIS

QGIS

ERDAS

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 Exploitation Specialist / Data Manager to provide advanced exploitation support, lead data management workflows, and drive mission-critical GEOINT production. This senior role combines deep tradecraft expertise with technical leadership, ensuring analytic teams have fast, reliable access to high-quality datasets and exploitation-ready imagery. The ideal candidate excels at structuring large data ecosystems, enhancing exploitation pipelines, mentoring junior staff, and partnering directly with DoD and Intelligence Community stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the management, organization, and curation of large, multi‑sensor GEOINT datasets, including SAR, EO, IR, multispectral, and specialized collections
• Oversee structured data workflows, enforce metadata standards, and ensure consistent lineage and traceability across analytic products
• Perform advanced exploitation tasks, generating high-quality products such as change detection, feature extraction, environmental assessments, and multi-sensor fusion outputs
• Supervise and optimize mission data workflows, identifying inefficiencies and implementing improved processing, cataloging, and automation techniques
• Conduct data-quality validation, anomaly resolution, and compliance checks against DoD and IC standards
• Guide developers and engineering partners on data requirements, exploitation impacts, and collection strategy optimization
• Lead the development, documentation, and refinement of SOPs for exploitation, cataloging, ingestion, and multi-mission data management
• Mentor junior analysts and data managers, providing technical direction and tradecraft instruction
• Prepare mission briefings, status reports, and technical documentation for senior leadership and external stakeholders
• Ensure timely delivery of high-value datasets and exploitation support to ongoing operations and long-term analytic missions
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Data Management, Remote Sensing, Geography, Image Science, a related field or equivalent experience
• 7+ years of GEOINT data management, imagery exploitation, or related analytical experience
• Demonstrated expertise in cataloging, metadata standards, and structured GEOINT data ecosystems
• Hands‑on experience with exploitation tools (ENVI/IDL, ArcGIS, QGIS, ERDAS, or similar)
• Proficiency in workflow automation or scripting (Python preferred)
• Proven ability to lead technical tasks, mentor junior personnel, and engage with senior stakeholders
• Strong understanding of IC/DoD production standards, data policies, and mission priorities
• Active TS/SCI clearance

Desired Qualifications

• Experience managing large‑scale data environments within DoD or IC operations
• Familiarity with SAR and EO exploitation workflows
• Experience with database systems, cloud‑based data environments, or data‑governance frameworks
• Knowledge of ML/AI‑assisted data categorization or exploitation tools
• Excellent communication skills and ability to lead cross‑functional teams

Global Comp

000000.00-000000.00 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.