Remote Sensing Engineer

Riverside Research; Springfield (VA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Riverside Research is seeking a Remote Sensing Engineer to develop, analyze, and exploit remote sensing data for national security missions in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary setting.

The role requires an active TS/SCI clearance, a 5+ year background in remote sensing/geospatial analysis, and strong Python programming with GIS software experience. Expect to work on geospatial workflows, tool development, and complex imagery tasks.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance required.
• Minimum 5 years in remote sensing/geospatial analysis or related field.
• Experience processing satellite or aerial imagery.
• Proficient with GIS software and Python for geospatial tasks.
• Knowledge of geospatial libraries and CRS/raster-vector formats.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a remote, collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Process, analyze, and interpret satellite and airborne imagery.
• Develop geospatial workflows and automated processing pipelines.
• Create Python tools for imagery processing and feature extraction.
• Perform image classification, object detection, and spatial analysis.
• Support sensor calibration, validation, and QA activities.
• Collaborate with engineers, data scientists, and analysts.
• Prepare technical docs, reports, and presentations.
• Evaluate new remote sensing tech and improve workflows.
• Contribute to project planning and continuous improvement.

Skills

Python programming

Geospatial analysis

GIS software

Remote sensing

Data processing

Communication

Automation workflows

GDAL/Rasterio

GeoPandas/Shapely

OpenCV

Education

Bachelor's degree in Remote Sensing/Geospatial Science/related technical discipline

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

QGIS

ENVI

ERDAS Imagine

Job description

Remote Sensing Engineer

Location: US-VA-Springfield

Position Type: Full Time Salary

Riverside Overview

Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country's most challenging technical problems.

All Riverside Research opportunities require U.S. Citizenship.

Position Overview

We are seeking a skilled Remote Sensing Engineer to support the development, analysis, and exploitation of remote sensing data for national security, defense, and geospatial intelligence missions. The ideal candidate has experience working with geospatial datasets, remote sensing technologies, and automation tools, and is comfortable collaborating across multidisciplinary teams to solve complex technical challenges.

An active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance is required for this position.

Responsibilities

• Process, analyze, and interpret satellite, airborne, and other remotely sensed imagery.
• Develop and maintain geospatial analysis workflows and automated processing pipelines.
• Design and implement Python-based tools to support imagery processing, feature extraction, and geospatial analysis.
• Perform image classification, object detection, change detection, and spatial analysis using commercial and open-source tools.
• Support sensor calibration, validation, and quality assurance activities.
• Work closely with engineers, data scientists, and intelligence analysts to develop mission-focused solutions.
• Prepare technical documentation, reports, and presentations for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Evaluate emerging remote sensing technologies and recommend improvements to existing workflows.
• Contribute to project planning, technical discussions, and continuous process improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI security clearance (required).
• Bachelor's degree in Remote Sensing, Geospatial Science, Geography, GIS, Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Environmental Science, or a related technical discipline.
• minimum of 5 years professional experience in remote sensing, geospatial analysis, GIS, or a related engineering field.
• Experience processing and analyzing satellite, aerial, or other remotely sensed imagery.
• Proficiency with remote sensing and GIS software such as ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, ENVI, ERDAS Imagine, or similar platforms.
• Strong Python programming skills for geospatial analysis and workflow automation.
• Experience with geospatial libraries such as GDAL, Rasterio, GeoPandas, Shapely, or OpenCV.
• Understanding of raster and vector geospatial data formats and coordinate reference systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a remote, collaborative environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting DoD, NGA, NRO, or Intelligence Community programs.
• Experience with SAR, LiDAR, hyperspectral, multispectral, or thermal imagery.
• Familiarity with cloud-based geospatial processing environments such as AWS or Azure.
• Experience with machine learning or computer vision techniques applied to geospatial imagery.
• Knowledge of containerization technologies such as Docker and modern software development practices.
• Experience with Git and collaborative software development workflows.

Global Comp

$97,000 - $135,000 This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location and other factors.

Closing Statement

• Riverside Research Institute is a not-for-profit, technology-oriented defense company, where service to our customers and support of our staff is our overall mission.
• Riverside is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring.
• Riverside offers comprehensive compensation and benefit packages to our employees.
• Riverside bases its employment decisions solely on technical experience, qualifications and other job-related criteria related to our organizational purpose as a not-for-profit company, and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran's status or any other status legally protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.