Scientific Photographer 3

PDS Defense, Inc.; Everett (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Remote Scientific Photographer 3 for Everett, WA. You will reconstruct and refine 360-degree imagery, ensuring accurate product representation through meticulous retouching and stitching corrections.

The role requires strong Photoshop skills, experience with 360 panoramas, and adherence to strict quality standards. Collaboration with engineering, stitching, and QA teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop with strong compositing and non-destructive editing.
• Experience with high-resolution panoramic imagery (360-degree or spherical panoramas).
• Knowledge of color management and image file structures (PSD, TIF, DNG, equirectangular).

Responsibilities

• Image Reconstruction: retouch 360-degree imagery cubes and equirectangular panoramas to fix stitching artifacts.
• Quality Assurance: collaborate with QA to address markups and rework requests.
• Nadir Compositing: remove shadows/obstructions in downshot images.
• Cross-Cube Error Management: mark and correct cross-cube errors.
• File/Records Management: organize PSDs, equirectangulars, project notes.
• Process Adherence: follow retouching workflows from setup to delivery.
• Time Management: complete a standard FOM scene (6 cubes) within 4-8 hours.
• Continuous Learning: engage with onboarding materials and retouching wiki.

Skills

Photoshop

Image compositing

Non-destructive editing

360 panoramas

Color management

PSD cubes/TIFs/DNGs

HDR image stacking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PTGui

Job description

Engineering

Scientific Photographer 3 Everett, WA Posted: 6/3/2026

Job Description

Job ID#:

218347

Job Category:

Engineering

Position Type:

Associate - W2

Duration:

52

Shift:

1

PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Remote Scientific Photographer 3, in Everett, WA. Job ID#218347

Pay Rate: $47 - $52

Job Description:

As an APEX Retoucher, you will be responsible for reconstructing and refining 360-degree imagery to create faithful, detailed visual records of products. This role requires meticulous attention to detail, a strong understanding of image compositing, and adherence to strict quality and process standards. You will work closely with cross-functional teams including engineering, stitching specialists, and QA to ensure every image accurately represents the product as delivered, without cleaning up or altering defects.

Key Responsibilities:

Image Reconstruction: Perform detailed retouching of 360-degree imagery cubes and equirectangular panoramas, focusing on compositing source images to correct errors such as stitch shifts, lens flare, sensor dust, and other capture or stitching artifacts.

Quality Assurance Collaboration: Work closely with QA teams to address markups and rework requests, ensuring all errors are corrected to meet high standards.

Nadir Compositing: Skillfully composite out tripod shadows and other obstructions in downshot images using offset captures or, when necessary, creative painting and cloning.

Cross-Cube Error Management: Identify and mark cross-cube errors for correction during rework phases, maintaining alignment and seamless stitching across cube edges.

File and Records Management: Maintain organized local and server-based records of working PSDs, equirectangulars, and project notes until project delivery.

Process Adherence: Follow detailed APEX retouching workflows, including software setup, project assignment, asset downloading, retouching, rework, and final delivery steps.

Time Management: Manage workload efficiently to meet time targets, typically completing a standard FOM scene (6 cubes) within 4-8 hours, while maintaining quality.

Continuous Learning: Engage with onboarding materials, training, and the retouching wiki to stay current with processes, tools, and terminology.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop with strong skills in compositing, layering, and non-destructive editing.

Experience working with high-resolution panoramic imagery, preferably 360-degree or spherical panoramas.

Strong understanding of color management, specifically North American Prepress 2 color settings.

Ability to interpret and work with complex image file structures including PSD cubes, TIFs, DNGs, and equirectangular panoramas.

Familiarity with 360 stitching software (e.g., PTGui) and HDR image stacking processes is a plus.

Excellent attention to detail and ability to identify subtle image errors and stitching artifacts.

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple scenes and projects simultaneously.

Effective communication skills to collaborate with team members, QA, and technical support.

Ability to work independently and proactively seek assistance when needed.

Education / Experience: Education/experience typically acquired through advanced education (e.g. Bachelor) and typically 6 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience (e.g. Master+4 years' related work experience, 10 years' related work experience, etc.).

Benefits offered to vary by the contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.

Job Requirements

Minimum Security Clearance:

No Clearance

Military connected talent encouraged to apply.

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled