Remote Sensing SAR Specialist and Developer (GS26100926)

Gtscts; College Park (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

GTSC and its Global Sciences and Technology (GST) unit seek a SAR specialist and developer to support NOAA/NESDIS/STAR, based in College Park, MD. The successful candidate will work with SAR scientists and software developers to produce flood maps from Sentinel-1, RADARSAT and NISAR data, developing and maintaining science code for production datasets.

Required expertise includes Python and IDL, experience with netCDF4/HDF5/GeoTIFF, Linux, and ML techniques; a PhD or MS with 5+ years’ experience

Qualifications

• PhD or MS with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in a quantitative field such as Remote Sensing, Oceanography, Physics, Mathematics, or Statistics.
• Knowledge of SAR remote sensing, satellite & oceanographic data, systems, and analyses.
• Proficiency with Python and IDL programming languages.
• Experience with machine learning methods (PyTorch or TensorFlow) is desirable but not required.
• Experience with data formats used in remote sensing (netCDF4, HDF5, GeoTIFF, Xarray, Zarr).
• Experience with Linux and common tools.
• Proven deliverables (publications, derived products, software).
• Willingness to conduct independent research while being a team player.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain science code for flood mapping datasets from SAR sensors (e.g., Sentinel-1, RADARSAT Constellation, RADARSAT-2, NISAR).
• Develop, implement, and improve flood inundation detection algorithms and evaluate their performance.
• Collaborate with SAR scientists and software developers in SOCD under NOAA STAR.

Skills

Python

IDL

Machine learning (PyTorch/TF)

Scientific computing

Education

MS/PhD in Remote Sensing/Oceanography/Physics/Mathematics/Statistics

Tools

netCDF4

HDF5

GeoTIFF

Xarray

Zarr

Linux

Job description

Remote Sensing SAR Specialist and Developer (GS26100926)

College Park, United States | Posted on 10/27/2026

• Industry Professionals - No Clearance Required
• Salary $90,000-120,000 / year
• City College Park
• State/Province Maryland
• Country United States

Job Description

GTSC and its Global Sciences and Technology (GST) business unit seeksa SAR specialist and developer to support NOAA/NESDIS/STAR.

This position is located in College Park, MD.

Position Summary:

The successful candidate will work with a group of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) scientists and software developers at the Satellite Oceanography and Climatology Division (SOCD) under the NOAA Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR). This position could be long-term depending on performance and Federal Government Funding.

Primary Duties:

• The individual in this position will be responsible for the development and maintenance of science code for production of flood mapping datasets from multiple SAR sensors (e.g., Sentinel-1, RADARSAT Constellation Mission, RADARSAT-2, and NISAR).
• Development, implementation, and improvement of flood inundation detection algorithms, and evaluation of their performance.
• This is a scientific position that requires a strong understanding of physical science, mathematics, and scientific computing.

Additional duties may include:

• Classification studies of river ice, i.e., detecting ice jams, tracking ice movement and breakup, and assessment of flooding risk.
• Utilizing SAR imagery to identify, outline, and characterize suspected oil slicks.
• Assisting with additional coastal, ocean, and cryosphere applications of SAR.

Required Education/Experience/Skills:

• PhD or MS, with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience, in a quantitative field of research such as Remote Sensing, Oceanography, Physics, Mathematics, or Statistics.
• Knowledge of SAR remote sensing, satellite & oceanographic data, systems, and analyses.
• Proficiency with Python and IDL programming languages.
• Experience with application of machine learning algorithms using PyTorch or TensorFlow is desired, however, a working knowledge of machine learning techniques will suffice.
• Experience with data formats frequently used by the remote sensing community such as netCDF4, HDF5, GeoTIFF, Xarray, and Zarr.
• Experience with Linux operating systems and common tools.
• Proven list of deliverables (peer-reviewed publications, derived products, software packages, etc.).
• Willingness and ability to conduct independent research (problem definition, technical solution, coding, publication) while being a team player.
• Strong scientific analytical skills with detail-oriented working style.

Selected applicants will be subject to a government background investigation. This position is for US persons only.

BENEFITS -Employees working 30+ hours weekly

Wecelebrate your contributions we will provide you withopportunities and choices and support your total well-being.Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial,and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professionaldevelopment, tuition assistance, work-life programs, anddependent care for full-time employees working 30-plus hoursper week. Our recognition awards program acknowledgesemployees for exceptional performance.

Business Unit: GlobalSciences and Technology (GST)

IdentityStatement

Aspart of the application process, you are expected to be oncamera during interviews and assessments. We reserve theright to take your picture to verify your identity andprevent fraud.

WorkDefinitions: If thisposition is listed as remote or hybrid, you'llperiodically work from a company or client sitefacility.

Aspart of the onboarding process for this position, individualsundergoing identity verification for new PIV card issuance, mustpresent a REAL ID compliant form of identification or anequivalent acceptable form. GTSC is an EqualOpportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basisof race or ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age,veteran disability or genetic information or any other reasonprohibited by law in employment.

GTSC iscommitted to working with and providing reasonable accommodationto applicants with physical and mental disabilities.

GTSCparticipates in the E-Verify program in all locations as requiredby law.

GTSC-Talent Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran disability or genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law in employment.