Principal SAR Imagery Scientist (AI/ML Validation) | TS/SCI

Xcellent Technology Solutions, Inc; Springfield (VA); On-site; 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

Principal SAR Imagery Scientist (AI/ML Validation) | TS/SCI

Location: Springfield VA

Overview

Join a mission-critical effort at the forefront of AI assurance within GEOINT. Supporting NGA's Assurance and Governance (QA) office and the Accreditation of AI Models (AGAIM) program, this role is focused on ensuring that advanced AI and machine learning models are rigorously tested, validated, and ready for real-world intelligence operations.

As a Principal SAR Imagery Scientist, you will serve as a leading authority in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), driving the evaluation and validation of AI/ML models against operational radar imagery. You will design and oversee testing methodologies that reflect real-world collection conditions, ensuring models perform reliably across diverse environments and mission scenarios. This role goes beyond analysis. You will apply deep expertise in SAR phenomenology, sensor physics, and image formation to assess model performance, identify limitations, and guide improvements. Your work will directly influence how AI is trusted and deployed across the mission, shaping analytic standards and advancing automated GEOINT capabilities. You will also play a key advisory role, translating complex technical findings into actionable insights for leadership, while collaborating across NGA and the broader Intelligence Community to ensure mission-relevant, accurate, and defensible outcomes.

If you are a SAR expert looking to shape how AI is evaluated, trusted, and deployed across real-world intelligence missions, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI clearance with willingness to undergo a CI Polygraph exam
• 18+ years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree, or a PhD with 10+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 13+ years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor’s degree with 15+ years of relevant experience, or an Associate’s degree with 16+ years of relevant experience
• Proven 6+ years of experience as a SAR expert with deep expertise in collection, phenomenology, collection geometry, sensor physics, image formation processes, and exploitation tradecraft
• Application of SAR imagery to identify the occurrence and location of objects of interest (OOI)
• Proficiency with SAR-focused toolsets and environments including SARPy, MATLAB SAR Toolbox, and Python-based workflows
• Experience developing, testing, and evaluating algorithms, methodologies, and analytic processes using SAR imagery
• Application of image quality metrics, sensor metadata (e.g., graze, squint), and information-theoretic approaches to assess SAR data quality and performance
• Application of remote sensing and geospatial platforms such as Google Earth Engine for advanced imagery analysis and modeling workflows
• Ability to design, evaluate, and refine analytic models and validation frameworks using operational, real-world datasets
• Ability to communicate complex SAR concepts, findings, and system capabilities to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong foundation in remote sensing principles, GEOINT tradecraft, and advanced imagery exploitation methodologies
• Capacity to operate independently while providing authoritative technical guidance and advisory support to government leadership

Desired

• Working knowledge of computer vision (CV) and machine learning techniques as applied to SAR imagery

Why XTS?

XTS is a veteran owned company focused on mission success and professional growth. We foster a collaborative environment and invest in our people so they can thrive while supporting critical national security missions.

Benefits Include:

• Flexible healthcare, dental, and vision plans
• Paid time off (PTO) and 11 federal holidays
• Matching 401(k) plan
• Short- and long-term disability, life insurance, cancer insurance, and pet insurance
• Ongoing professional development and advancement opportunities

Salary Range: $135,000-$145,000/annually, with final compensation determined based on experience, qualifications, and alignment with the requirements of role.