Hyperspectral Image Scientist

Leidos; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 92,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Wellness programs

Income Protection

Paid Leave

Retirement

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Senior Hyperspectral Image Scientist to lead the analysis, exploitation, and interpretation of hyperspectral and multispectral imagery in support of government missions. This on-site role requires collaboration with analysts, engineers, managers, and mission stakeholders at a government facility in Springfield, VA.

The candidate will develop spectral-based algorithms, calibrate data, build spectral libraries, and integrate hyperspectral analytics with other GEOINT sources

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Geospatial Science, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or related field.
• 8–12 years of relevant professional experience in hyperspectral image analysis or related disciplines.
• Experience with hyperspectral/multispectral imagery exploitation in government/defense contexts.
• Strong knowledge of spectral phenomenology, imaging spectroscopy, and remote sensing principles.
• Experience with image processing tools (MATLAB, Python, ENVI/IDL, ArcGIS).

Responsibilities

• Lead development and evaluation of hyperspectral image analysis methodologies.
• Exploit hyperspectral, multispectral datasets to identify and classify materials and activities of interest.
• Develop, refine, and validate spectral-based algorithms (detection, unmixing, change).
• Perform preprocessing: radiometric, atmospheric, and geometric corrections.
• Build and maintain spectral libraries and support endmember extraction.
• Integrate hyperspectral analytics with GEOINT and other data sources.
• Prepare reports, briefings, and documentation for stakeholders.
• Advise leadership on capabilities and best practices in hyperspectral sensing.

Skills

Hyperspectral image exploitation

Spectral signature analysis

Material identification

Sub-pixel analysis

Anomaly detection

Radiometric correction

Algorithm development

Python scripting

Data visualization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Remote Sensing/Imaging Science/related

Master’s or PhD preferred

Tools

Python

MATLAB

ENVI/IDL

ArcGIS

GIS

Job description

Leidos is actively interviewing for a Senior Hyperspectral Image Scientist to join our team in Springfield, VA.

Job Summary

Senior technical position responsible for leading the analysis, exploitation, and interpretation of hyperspectral and multispectral imagery in support of government missions. The Senior Hyperspectral Image Scientist will provide subject matter expertise in spectral data processing, algorithm development, image exploitation, and applied remote sensing science.

This position requires on-site support at a government facility and close collaboration with analysts, engineers, program managers, and mission stakeholders.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the development, evaluation, and application of hyperspectral image analysis methodologies.
• Perform exploitation of hyperspectral, multispectral, and related geospatial datasets to identify, classify, and characterize materials, objects, and activities of interest.
• Develop, refine, and validate spectral-based algorithms for detection, unmixing, anomaly detection, change detection, target identification, and material classification.
• Conduct preprocessing and calibration workflows, including radiometric correction, atmospheric correction, and geometric correction.
• Build and maintain spectral libraries and support signature analysis, endmember extraction, and spectral matching.
• Integrate hyperspectral analytics with other GEOINT, remote sensing, and intelligence data sources.
• Prepare technical reports, briefings, white papers, and documentation for government stakeholders.
• Advise leadership and mission teams on capabilities, limitations, and best practices related to hyperspectral sensing and exploitation.

Required Technical Skills

• Hyperspectral and multispectral image exploitation
• Spectral signature analysis and spectral library development
• Material identification and classification
• Sub-pixel analysis and spectral unmixing
• Anomaly detection and change detection
• Radiometric, atmospheric, and geometric correction
• Algorithm development and validation
• Python, MATLAB, ENVI/IDL, GIS, and scientific scripting
• Data visualization and technical reporting

Work Environment

Work will be performed primarily on-site at a government facility. Limited travel may be required based on program needs.

Basic Qualifications

Basic Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Geospatial Science, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related technical field. Minimum of 8-12 years of relevant professional experience in hyperspectral image analysis, spectral science, remote sensing, or related technical disciplines. Demonstrated experience with hyperspectral and multispectral imagery exploitation in government, defense, intelligence, or applied research environments. Strong knowledge of spectral phenomenology, imaging spectroscopy, and remote sensing principles. Experience with image processing and scientific analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, ENVI/IDL, ArcGIS, or equivalent platforms. Experience developing and implementing algorithms for spectral detection, classification, target recognition, or anomaly detection. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences. Active TS/SCI clearance with ability to be approved for a Poly.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline.
• Experience supporting DoD, IC, NGA, NGA-related, or other federal mission environments.
• Familiarity with sensor calibration, atmospheric modeling, physics-based exploitation, and sensor phenomenology.
• Experience with machine learning or artificial intelligence methods applied to hyperspectral data.
• Experience working with large-scale datasets, cloud-based analytics, or high-performance computing environments.
• Knowledge of geospatial data standards, data fusion, and operational tasking workflows.

Pay Range

Pay Range $92,300.00 - $166,850.00

Pay Range: Pay Range $92,300.00 - $166,850.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Pay and Benefits

Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement.

More details are available here.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Original Posting

Original Posting: May 20, 2026