SAR Scientist

ICEYE US; South Gate (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Flexible PTO

Friendly work environment

Job summary

ICEYE US in Southern California is seeking a SAR Scientist to help build the next generation of radar processing, develop new capabilities, and advance the art of the possible for national missions.

You will work with a small, high-caliber team of scientists and engineers who care about physics, production software, and shipping capabilities that matter to operators and first responders. A strong background in SAR and software is required.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or Physics.
• 5+ years in RF/electrical engineering roles.
• 2+ years developing SAR processing algorithms.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain SAR data processing software.
• Collaborate with engineering to deploy scalable pipelines.
• Maintain mastery of ICEYE products and workflows.
• Root cause and resolve product or customer issues.
• Contribute to RFIs, RFPs, and business capture activities.
• Present technical briefings to internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in an agile development process to production.
• Contribute to system and algorithm design decisions.
• Commit to engineering best practices with code review, testing, and documentation.
• Independently learn new software or technologies as required.

Skills

Python

Linux

Git

US citizenship

Education

Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering or Physics

Tools

Docker

AWS

USG data formats (NITF SICD/SIDD CPHD)

Job description

SAR Scientist

At ICEYE, we design, build and operate the largest fleet of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites in the world. Using advanced technology, our constellation collects topographical data about any location on Earth, day or night, through any weather conditions.

Headquartered in Southern California, our customers are society’s heroes – intelligence professionals, warfighters, first responders, and scientific researchers. As a trusted mission partner, the United States and its allies depend on us for critical information when it matters most.

Role Description

As a SAR Scientist at ICEYE US, you'll help build the next generation of cutting-edge radar processing, develop new capabilities, and advance the art of the possible to deliver on our nation's most demanding missions. You'll work shoulder-to-shoulder with a small, high-caliber team of scientists and engineers who care deeply about the physics, sweat the details of production software, and take pride in shipping capabilities that matter. If you're energized by hard problems at the intersection of radar science, software, and mission impact — and you want your work to reach operators, analysts, and first responders when it counts most — we'd love to talk.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain software solutions addressing a broad range of company needs, including SAR data processing, quality, and analytic products

• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to transition code into scalable, operational pipelines

• Maintain mastery of existing and emerging ICEYE products, capabilities, and services

• Maintain competent understanding of ICEYE US data processing workflows

• Work cross-functionally to root cause and resolve product and/or customer issues

• Contribute technical writing to RFIs, RFPs, and other business capture activities

• Present technical briefings to internal and external stakeholders

• Participate in an agile development process to bring engineering solutions to production

• Contribute to system and algorithm design decision-making

• Commit to engineering best practices with code review, testing, and documentation

• Independently learn new software, processes, or technologies as required

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a similar field

• 5+ years experience in a similar engineering role (RF engineering, systems engineering, electrical engineering)

• 2+ years experience developing SAR processing algorithms in an engineering environment

• Thorough understanding of SAR imaging physics, modes, and common image formation algorithms

• Mastery of the manipulation of complex‑valued SAR imagery and phase history data

• Proficiency prototyping new engineering solutions using high level languages, such as Python

• Proficiency with Linux command line operations

• Proficiency with version control systems, particularly Git

• Must be a US citizen with current TS/SCI clearance or ability/willingness to pursue one

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years experience developing SAR data processing software in a production environment
• Familiarity with one or more low‑level programming languages, such as Go or C++
• Experience working with USG NITF (SICD/SIDD) and CPHD data formats
• Familiarity with common GIS analysis tools and processes
• Familiarity with Docker and containerized environments
• Experience interacting with AWS cloud services and the AWS CLI as regular part of the SDLC

Pay Range and Compensation Package

The estimated base salary range for this role is $155k - $175k depending on experience

Other benefits include health coverage, flexible PTO, a friendly work environment, plus extra fun perks!

Physical Requirements

This position primarily works in an office environment. It requires the ability to sit or stand for long periods of time and frequent walking. Daily use of a computer, phone, office equipment and other computing and digital devices is required. Some travel may be necessary – the ability to travel by car, plane, train, bus, vessel, or metro, operate a motor vehicle and maintain a valid Driver’s License and/or effectively navigate public transportation is required.

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee must be able to read and respond to inter‑office communications as well as effectively participate in meetings. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands or fingers, to lift up to 50 lbs., pull, push, carry, handle, or feel. The employee is required to carry, handle items, reach with arms and hands, to stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk, or hear. Mental demands may require prolonged concentration, reading comprehension, understanding and interpretation of concepts, ideas, and philosophies. The physical demands of the position described herein are essential functions of the job and employees must be able to successfully perform these tasks for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations may be made for those individuals with real or perceived disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job described unless such accommodations would cause ICEYE US an undue burden.

EEO Statement

ICEYE US is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.