Senior SAR Image Scientist / SAR Exploitation SME

Barone Consulting LLC; Springfield, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Barone Consulting LLC seeks a Senior SAR Image Scientist / SAR Exploitation SME to lead exploitation work for ISR challenges. You will guide SAR image processing, quality assessment, and algorithm development, ensuring mission-ready outputs for government stakeholders.

You will apply SAR phenomenology, sensor metadata, and AI/ML-informed workflows, collaborating with data scientists and engineers. Strong communication of results is essential.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant professional experience in SAR image science and exploitation.
• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline; equivalent combinations may be considered.
• TS/SCI with CI Polygraph preferred or active clearance eligible for SCI access.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a SAR image science SME supporting integration of sensors and data pipelines.
• Evaluate sensor characteristics and develop processing pipelines for new sensors.
• Collaborate with data scientists, software engineers, analysts, and Government stakeholders.
• Oversee weekly deliveries of processed imagery and provide quick-turn processing when needed.
• Communicate technical findings and recommendations to stakeholders.

Skills

SAR image processing

SAR exploitation

Image quality metrics

Sensor phenomenology

RNIIRS

ISLR

MNR

Image formation

Python

MATLAB

Google Earth Engine

Communication of results

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical discipline

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Google Earth Engine

Job description

We are seeking Senior SAR Image Scientist / SAR Exploitation SME to join a high-performing team developing advanced solutions for complex Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges.

The successful candidate will serve as a SAR image science subject matter expert (SME), providing technical leadership in the acquisition, preparation, processing, assessment, and exploitation of SAR imagery. You will ensure imagery and associated products meet Government quality standards and mission requirements while developing solutions informed by the unique phenomenology, capabilities, limitations, collection geometries, and operational characteristics of SAR sensors and platforms.

The R&D program focuses on the development and application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), particularly Computer Vision (CV), to ISR sensors, platforms, and geospatial data. Applications include object detection, tracking, classification, and pattern detection. The program encompasses the development, testing, evaluation, fielding, and integration of CV models and supporting data pipelines for operational and emerging sensor capabilities.

Requirements:

• Strong technical background in SAR image science, processing, and exploitation.
• Demonstrated experience with SAR collection, sensor phenomenology, image formation, image quality, and exploitation products.
• Experience with RNIIRS and information-theoretic image quality metrics, as well as SAR-specific image quality metrics such as Integrated Sidelobe Ratio (ISLR) and Multiplicative Noise Ratio (MNR).
• Strong understanding of SAR sensor metadata and the effects of collection geometry and sensor parameters—including graze angle, squint angle, and azimuth—on image quality and phenomenology.
• Demonstrated experience exploiting SAR imagery to detect, identify, characterize, and geolocate objects or activities of interest.
• Demonstrated experience developing, testing, and evaluating algorithms, processes, methodologies, and products using SAR imagery and remotely sensed data.
• Experience using scientific computing and advanced processing tools such as Python, MATLAB, Google Earth Engine, or comparable technologies to process, analyze, and automate SAR imagery workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate SAR capabilities, limitations, products, methodologies, algorithms, and analytical results to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Deep understanding of remote sensing, image processing, sensor phenomenology, and advanced imagery exploitation methods.
• 15+ years of relevant professional experience and a Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical discipline. Equivalent combinations of education, specialized training, certifications, publications, internships, and relevant professional experience may be considered.
• TS/SCI with CI Polygraph preferred. Candidates with an active TS clearance who are eligible for SCI access and a CI Polygraph may also be considered.

Bonus Skills:

• Experience applying Computer Vision (CV), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to SAR imagery and data to address intelligence and ISR problems.
• Experience preparing SAR datasets for AI/ML model development, training, testing, validation, or performance evaluation.
• Familiarity with emerging or pre-operational SAR sensors, experimental collection systems, or new sensor phenomenologies.

What You Will Do:

• Serve as a SAR image science SME supporting the integration of emerging sensors and platforms into existing Maven or Government-directed data pipelines, processing environments, and operational workflows.
• Support emerging sensors that may be undergoing experimentation, testing, or pre-Initial Operational Capability (IOC) activities and help transition their data into operationally relevant workflows.
• Evaluate available sensor characteristics, metadata, collection parameters, and data formats and develop the processing pipelines and data structures necessary to incorporate new sensor sources into existing workflows.
• Assess differences in sensor characteristics, phenomenology, image quality, collection geometry, resolution, coverage, and operational capabilities between emerging sensors and currently utilized platforms.
• Identify potential gaps or limitations in emerging sensor capabilities and determine where complementary data sources or collection modalities may be required.
• Evaluate opportunities for coincident or complementary collections from other ISR and imagery platforms, including electro-optical (EO) systems, based on geographic coverage, collection geometry, timing, and mission requirements.
• Develop, test, evaluate, and document new algorithms, processing techniques, methodologies, and imagery products using remotely sensed data, SAR imagery, and cloud-based processing solutions.
• Apply scientific and quantitative methods to assess imagery quality, sensor performance, and suitability of imagery products for downstream analytical and AI/ML applications.
• Collaborate with data scientists, software engineers, analysts, and Government stakeholders to ensure SAR data and products are appropriately prepared and characterized for Computer Vision and AI/ML development and evaluation.
• Oversee weekly deliveries of processed imagery and support ad hoc, quick-turn imagery processing and delivery for operational or mission needs.
• Communicate technical findings, sensor limitations, imagery characteristics, and recommendations to Government stakeholders and multidisciplinary technical teams.

Other Information:

• Occasional travel outside the Washington, DC area may be required to support field events, demonstrations, tests, or exercises.
• Local travel may be required for meetings at Government facilities.
• Periodic surge support may be required in response to time-sensitive operational or crisis situations.
• Work will be performed at the CTR facility.
• The work schedule offers some flexibility; however, this is a highly collaborative team environment. Team members are generally expected to be available for collaboration during core hours of 0900–1500 ET, Monday through Friday.