Principal SAR AI/ML Validation Scientist

Xcellent Technology Solutions, Inc; Springfield (VA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare plans

PTO and federal holidays

401(k) plan

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Professional development

Pet insurance

Job summary

XTS is seeking a Principal SAR Imagery Scientist (AI/ML Validation) to lead testing and validation of SAR-based AI models for NGA missions from Springfield, VA. The role requires deep SAR knowledge, sensor physics, and experience shaping analytic standards.

You will design evaluation methods reflecting real-world collection conditions, advise leadership, and collaborate across NGA and IC to ensure trustworthy AI systems.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with CI Polygraph willingness.
• Extensive SAR expertise with 6+ years in collection, phenomenology, and sensor physics.
• Experience applying SAR imagery to locate objects of interest (OOI).
• Proficiency with SAR-focused toolsets and environments (SARPy, MATLAB SAR Toolbox, Python).
• Experience developing, testing, and evaluating SAR-based algorithms and processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and oversight of SAR/AI model testing under real-world conditions.
• Assess model performance, identify limitations, and guide improvements.
• Translate complex SAR findings into actionable guidance for leadership.
• Collaborate across NGA and the IC to ensure mission-relevant, defensible outcomes.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

SAR expertise

Communication to diverse audiences

Governance & QA advisory

AI/ML validation

Test design & validation

Remote sensing principles

Education

Master's or PhD in a relevant field

Bachelor's with extensive experience

Associate's with extensive experience

Tools

SARPy

MATLAB SAR Toolbox

Python workflows

Job description

XTS is seeking a Principal SAR Imagery Scientist (AI/ML Validation) to lead testing and validation of SAR-based AI models for NGA missions from Springfield, VA. The role requires deep SAR knowledge, sensor physics, and experience shaping analytic standards.

You will design evaluation methods reflecting real-world collection conditions, advise leadership, and collaborate across NGA and IC to ensure trustworthy AI systems.