Principal Researcher

Fujitsu Careers; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 174,000 - 249,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

401k

Paid time off

Job summary

Fujitsu invites applications for a Principal Researcher to shape the Earth Intelligence Platform, combining Earth Observation, AI, and geospatial analytics. Lead the scientific roadmap, develop scalable data fusion methods, and influence enterprise-level platform architecture for global resilience and sustainability.

The role blends research leadership with practical system design, mentoring, and publication activities.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a quantitative field (Remote Sensing, GIS, CS, Earth System Science, Geophysics, or equivalent).
• 2+ years post-PhD research or industry experience in large-scale geospatial data processing.
• Strong practical ML/CV background applied to satellite imagery.

Responsibilities

• Define the scientific roadmap for multi-source Earth data fusion and geospatial intelligence.
• Prototype ML models for geospatial tasks (GFMs, CV for EO, spatio-temporal nets).
• Scale research into production-ready APIs and platform capabilities.
• Collaborate on standards (STAC, COG, OGC) and interoperability across datasets.

Skills

Geospatial ML

Computer vision

Python

Cloud platforms

System design

Education

PhD in Remote Sensing / GIS / CS

Tools

Google Earth Engine

Planetary Computer

Xarray

Rasterio

GDAL

Job description

Location Flexibility: Multiple Locations in Country

At Fujitsu, we're on a mission to create a more sustainable world by building trust in society through innovation. Since our inception in Japan in 1935, Fujitsu has consistently been at the forefront of technological advancement. Today, we stand as a global leader in digital transformation, dedicated to reshaping businesses and society in the digital age.

What truly sets us apart is our family of nearly 130,000 dedicated employees that spans over 50 countries, forming a diverse and dynamic community. We are committed to helping our employees grow and develop their careers. We believe that everyone has the potential to achieve great things, and we are dedicated to providing the resources and opportunities that our employees need to succeed. We invite you to take the next step in your career journey. Thank you for being a part of Fujitsu. We look forward to growing together toward a brighter future.

Principal Researcher at Fujitsu's Space Data Frontiers Research Center

The Space Data Frontiers Research Center (Space Center) at Fujitsu specializes in pioneering business opportunities in space-related technologies. The center focuses on using AI and advanced computing to process, analyze, and utilize data from space in real-time, aiming to support both Earth-bound industries and future human space exploration.

We are seeking a visionary and hands-on Principal Researcher to define and drive the scientific and technical foundation of our next-generation Earth Intelligence Platform. In this role, you will lead research at the intersection of Earth Observation (EO), geospatial analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI/ML). You will architect scalable, multi-modal data synthesis frameworks that translate vast streams of satellite, aerial, in-situ, and climate data into actionable insights for global decision-making, sustainability, and industrial applications.

As a senior research leader, you will bridge the gap between cutting-edge scientific innovation, enterprise-grade platform architecture, and real-world strategic impact.

Key Responsibilities

1. Research Leadership & Strategy

• Define the Scientific Roadmap: Lead the long-term research vision for multi-source Earth data fusion, physical-AI modeling, and geospatial intelligence.
• Algorithm & Model Development: Conceptualize and prototype novel machine learning models (e.g., geospatial foundation models, computer vision for EO, spatio-temporal neural networks, and physical-data hybrid models).
• Cross-Domain Innovation: Develop methods for scaling planetary-level analysis, including land-use monitoring, disaster response dynamics, climate risk modeling, and global supply chain tracking.
• Multi-Modal Data Fusion: Architect approaches to integrate heterogeneous datasets—including optical, SAR, hyperspectral, IoT sensor networks, weather, and oceanographic data—into unified, queryable frameworks.
• Scalable Analytics: Partner with engineering teams to translate experimental algorithms into production-ready, low-latency APIs and platform capabilities.
• Standards & Interoperability: Ensure platform alignment with modern geospatial standards (e.g., STAC, COG, OGC standards) and big-data processing paradigms.

3. Collaboration & External Thought Leadership

• Publication & IP: Publish high-impact research in top-tier peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings (e.g., Remote Sensing of Environment, IEEE TGRS, NeurIPS, ICML). File patents where applicable.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Translate complex technical and planetary science concepts into clear value propositions for executive leaders, industry partners, and institutional stakeholders.
• Mentorship: Guide and mentor intern researchers and engineers to foster a culture of research rigor and fast-paced experimentation.

Qualifications & Experience

Required Qualifications

• Education: Ph.D. in Remote Sensing, Geospatial Information Science (GIS), Computer Science, Earth System Science, Geophysics, or a closely related quantitative field.
• Experience: 2+ years of post-PhD research experience (or equivalent industry experience) developing algorithms and systems for large-scale geospatial or earth data processing.
• Technical Mastery:
• Deep expertise in computer vision and ML/DL frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow) applied to spatial/temporal satellite imagery (SAR, Optical, Thermal).
• Proven experience with big geospatial data tools (e.g., Google Earth Engine, Planetary Computer, Xarray, Rasterio, GDAL, Apache Sedona).
• Strong programming proficiency in Python and modern data pipeline tools.
• System Design: Track record of taking complex research models from concept to prototype and helping transition them into scalable cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with geospatial foundation models (GFMs) and self-supervised learning on spatial-temporal data.
• Demonstrated domain knowledge in climate impact modeling, carbon accounting, maritime/logistics analytics, or disaster resilience.
• Strong publication track record in top remote sensing or computer vision conferences/journals.
• Experience collaborating on open-source geospatial projects or standard-setting bodies.

Core Competencies

• Systemic & Strategic Thinking: Ability to see how individual algorithms power broader platform capabilities and business value.
• Scientific Rigor: Uncompromising standard for data quality, uncertainty quantification, and model validation.
• Collaborative Leadership: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to bridge conversations between deep-tech scientists, software engineers, and business executives.

Fujitsu is the largest IT company in Japan and among the largest in the world. Fujitsu’s mission is to make the world more sustainable by building trust in society through innovation. Join us in shaping the future of the world.

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is: $174,126 to $248,752

Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience and skills and may change over time. Additionally, this role may be eligible for an annual bonus, which is based on individual.

We comply with all applicable minimum wage laws.

Benefits available include:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance,
• Life insurance,
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance,
• 401k
• Paid Time Off
• Any leave required under federal, state, or local law, as applicable, such as leave under the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

Benefits are subject to vesting and eligibility requirements.

Applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis.

At Fujitsu, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to our success, and we are committed to creating an environment where all employees can thrive.

We are an equal opportunity employer and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We believe that everyone has something to contribute, and we are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can reach their full potential.

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