Imagery Scientist (SAR)

Leidos; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in Alexandria is seeking an Expert Level Imagery Scientist (SAR) to advance sensor analysis, data curation, and model evaluation. The role centers on evaluating new sensor capabilities, ETL impacts, and data standardization for ML readiness.

You will leverage SAR, multi-INT data, and advanced processing tools to curate imagery, identify data gaps, and support accreditation activities. This is a senior, mission-focused position requiring strong communication across technical teams.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of SAR experience with collection, phenomenology and exploitation products.
• TS/SCI clearance with willingness to poly is required.
• Experience using SARPY and Matlab SAR toolbox.
• Proficient in Python and MATLAB for automating SAR workflows.
• Strong remote sensing theory and imagery processing knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Assess differences between new sensor characteristics and current platforms.
• Analyze metadata, formats, schemas, and ETL for data ingestion pipelines.
• Determine data acquisition methods, latency, formats, and security domains.
• Pre-process and standardize data for labeling and model testing.
• Curate SAR imagery for ML evaluation and accreditation.
• Leverage multi-INT data and other platforms for diverse datasets.
• Develop, test, and evaluate new algorithms and processing methods.

Skills

SAR imaging expert

Multi-INT analysis

Python proficiency

MATLAB proficiency

Geospatial skills

TS/SCI clearance with poly

Education

Bachelor's Degree in related field

Tools

MATLAB SAR toolbox

Python

Google Earth Engine

SARPY

Job description

Leidos has an exciting opportunity for an Expert Level Imagery Scientist (SAR) - to join our team in Alexandria, VA.

Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct assessment of potential differences between new sensor characteristics and capabilities compared to currently utilized platforms
• Assess potential differences in metadata, data format, and data structure characteristics in regards to changes to databases, schemas, APIs, and other ETL related processes for the ingestion and movement of data when integrating into the existing data operations pipeline
• Determine how to acquire new data, potential latency associated with acquisition, data formats, and security domains
• Determine how to pre-process and standardize the data to match existing data standards or to be transformed into a usable state for labeling and model testing purposes. This may involve converting between file format types or tiling full-size images into specified sizes or geospatial bounds.
• Investigate any gaps in the emerging sensor capability that may need to be supplemented by other sources
• Explore options for coincident imagery collects from other imagery platforms (e.g., EO platfoms) that align with areas of emerging sensor's collection. Determine other platforms with similar geographic and temporal coverage.
• Leverage multi-INT data, with an emphasis on SAR, to curate imagery from the emergent sensors. Curated imagery will be prioritized for creation of labeled data to support the model evaluation and accreditation. Curated imagery should have objects of interest or needed characteristics (e.g., geographic coverage, scene attributes) per Government prioritization.
• Based on the characteristics and limitations of the emergent sensor, recommend curation strategies and identify data gaps to develop a diverse, representative dataset for Machine Learning model evaluation
• Assess potential differences in metadata, data format, and data structure characteristics in regard to changes to databases, schemas, APIs, and other ETL related processes for the ingestion and movement of data when integrating into the existing data operations pipeline
• Determine how to acquire new data, potential latency associated with acquisition,

Basic Qualifications

• 6+ years as a SAR expert with understanding of collection, phenomenology, image formation process, and exploitation products.
• Bachelor's Degree in related field. Additional years of experience can be considered in lieu of degree
• Exhibit experience using SARPY and Matlab SAR toolbox
• Experience in RNIIRS, information theoretic-based image quality metrics, SAR imagery quality metrics (e.g., Integrated Sidelobe Ratio, Multiplicative Noise Ratio), and sensor metadata describing impacts of geometry on phenomenology (e.g., graze, squint, azimuth)
• Exhibit experience exploiting SAR to determine the occurrence and location of objects of interest
• Exhibit experience developing, testing, and evaluating new algorithms, processes, methodologies, and products using SAR imagery including experience utilizing advanced processing tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Google Earth Engine, etc.) to automate scientific processes of SAR imagery data to aid analysis
• Exhibit experience communicating with a variety of technical and non-technical audiences on availability and capabilities of SAR imagery products, methodologies, procedures, and algorithms to enhance analysis.
• Exhibit a deep understanding of the principles of remote sensing and imagery processing and advanced exploitation methods
• Experience with Synthetic Aperture Radar imagery analytical products and conducting multi-INT analysis
• Utilize structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data and visualization tools to exploit data through use of programming and scripting, including advanced geospatial skills and an excellent understanding of how to apply evolving technology and methodologies to related issues
• Active TS/SCI clearance with ability to be approved for a Poly

Preferred Qualifications

• Exhibit experience applying CV and machine learning (ML) techniques to SAR imagery and data to address intelligence problems

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provok