Lead Data Scientist IV - GEOINT/Remote Sensing

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal Opportunity Employer

Accommodations for disabilities available

Job summary

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory seeks a Lead Data Scientist to develop and deploy machine learning solutions for geospatial data, focusing on national security challenges. The position requires onsite presence in Richland or Seattle, WA, and emphasizes experience in machine learning and GEOINT workflows.

Applicants should possess an advanced degree and relevant experience in working with complex data sources.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain federal security clearance.
• Experience with machine learning for remote sensing applications.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement GEOINT data science solutions.
• Develop machine learning pipelines for geospatial data.
• Mentor junior staff and foster technical excellence.

Skills

Machine Learning

Geospatial Analysis

Data Fusion

Pipeline Development

Mentoring

Proposal Development

Education

PhD in relevant field

MS/MA with 5+ years experience

BS/BA with 7+ years experience

Tools

TensorFlow

PyTorch

GDAL

GeoPandas

ENVI

IDL

Job description

Overview

PNNL is a world‑class research institution focused on science and technology. The AI and Data Analytics Division, part of the National Security Directorate, delivers data‑driven solutions for national security challenges.

Responsibilities

Lead Data Scientist to develop and deploy machine learning pipelines, analyze geospatial data, and innovate GEOINT solutions. Key responsibilities include:

• Design and implement GEOINT data science solutions for imagery analysis, object detection, data fusion, and geospatial workflows.
• Act as principal investigator (PI) or co‑PI on interdisciplinary projects.
• Develop and deploy ML pipelines for processing large volumes of geospatial data in operational environments.
• Mentor junior staff and foster technical excellence.
• Generate proposals and business opportunities addressing emerging national security needs.
• Build partnerships to align project outcomes with sponsor priorities.
• Collaborate with software engineers, geospatial analysts, and mission specialists to transition research outputs to field‑ready solutions.
• Ensure compliance with quality, safety, and security standards.

Location

This position is based in either Richland, WA or Seattle, WA and requires an onsite presence.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant work experience –or–
• MS/MA and 5+ years of relevant work experience –or–
• PhD with 3+ years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in data science, computer science, physics, mathematics, or a similar discipline.
• Expertise in GEOINT workflows, including remote sensing platforms, multi‑modal data fusion, and advanced geospatial analytics.
• Experience with hyperspectral imaging data including long‑wave infrared:
  • Developing and validating machine learning–based detection, classification, and unmixing algorithms.
  • Full product pipeline experience (radiometric calibration, atmospheric correction, geometric correction, etc.).
  • Strong spectral sensing fundamentals such as radiative transfer, reflectance/emissivity, absorption features, SNR/noise modeling, sensor characterization.
  • Applying ML techniques to hyperspectral data fusion for geospatial intelligence applications.
  • Proficiency with hyperspectral analysis and visualization tools (e.g., ENVI, IDL).
• Experience working with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data (complex/IQ and formed products):
  • Developing and validating both traditional signal‑processing and machine learning–based detection and classification algorithms.
  • End‑to‑end SAR image product conversion pipeline experience.
  • Proficiency with SAR rendering tools.
  • Strong knowledge of SAR/RADAR theory fundamentals (wave propagation, scattering, speckle, Doppler/geometry, calibration, etc.).
• Hands‑on experience with geospatial analysis tools (GDAL, GeoPandas, Google Earth Engine) and machine learning frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Experience training, fine‑tuning, and applying deep learning models for remote sensing and GEOINT applications (YOLO, Detectron2, DINOv2, SAM, Vision Transformers, and geospatial foundation models).
• Deployment of operational solutions, ensuring scalability and applicability in secure or mission‑critical environments.
• Proven success in proposal development and securing external funding.
• Experience working with national security sponsors such as DOE, DoD, DHS.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, presenting technical findings to diverse audiences.

Security Clearance

The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter per 10 CFR 710 Appendix B.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship.
• Background investigation: selected applicants will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet 10 CFR 710 B eligibility for access to classified matter.
• Drug testing: selecting personnel will be subject to pre‑employment and random drug testing under the Controlled Substances Act.

Equal Employment Opportunity

PNNL is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to the characteristics listed in the above statement. To request accommodations for a disability, contact [e-mail].