Senior Scientist, OPIR & EO/IR Sensing Analytics

NCSL International; Springfield, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plan

HSA with company contribution

Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holidays

Paid Parental Leave

401k with company match

Training & Development

Job summary

GRVTY is seeking a Senior Scientist to support research, algorithm development, and advanced analytics for OPIR and EO/IR sensing systems at a customer site in Herndon, Virginia. You will work with engineers, data scientists, and analysts to apply physics-based models and image science methods in fast-paced national security missions.

The role emphasizes autonomous work, deep OPIR knowledge, and rigorous technical reporting; you will mentor junior staff and deliver technical briefs to

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret clearance; ability to obtain SCI and CI polygraph.
• Bachelor's degree in Image Science, Engineering, Applied Physics, Atmospheric Science, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on OPIR experience; EO/IR phenomenology, optical signature analysis, or sensor performance.
• Experience with image processing and digital signal processing tools for SWIR and MWIR data.
• Experience applying algorithms for target detection and background suppression in OPIR or EO/IR contexts.
• Familiarity with multi-data stream ingest and analysis techniques.
• Working knowledge of the TCPED process as applied to OPIR collection and exploitation.
• Strong documentation and communication skills; ability to write technical reports and brief customers.
• Able to work independently and manage priorities without significant hand-holding.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and development of advanced algorithms for OPIR and EO/IR remote sensing systems; focus on target detection, tracking, location, and characterization.
• Design, implement, and evaluate algorithms for EO/IR sensor and camera system performance including noise modeling, radiometric calibration, and sensitivity analysis.
• Analyze optical signature data to extract target phenomenology, characterize signatures, and generate rigorous intelligence insights.
• Conduct multi-platform remote sensing analytics across varied sensors, geometries, and data streams.
• Support the full TCPED process for OPIR from tasking and collection planning through exploitation and dissemination.
• Review and validate analytic products for technical accuracy and mission relevance; identify gaps and improvements.
• Maintain detailed, reproducible analysis logs; document workflows, assumptions, methodologies, and results.
• Respond to real-time EO/IR analysis requests and adapt to evolving mission priorities.
• Test and evaluate emerging algorithms and tools; contribute to trade studies and capability assessments.
• Prepare and deliver technical briefings, findings, and written reports to customers and program stakeholders.
• Mentor junior analysts; contribute to analytic standards and methodology development.

Skills

OPIR experience

Independent worker

Technical reporting & briefings

Image processing / DSP tools

TCPED process knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Image Science, Engineering, Applied Physics, Atmospheric Science, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related field

Master's degree in Image Science, Engineering, Applied Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a related field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

IDL

C/C++

ArcGIS

Google Earth

Opticks

Palette

Job description

GRVTY is seeking a Senior Scientist to support research, algorithm development, and advanced analytics for OPIR and EO/IR sensing systems at a customer site in Herndon, Virginia. You will work with engineers, data scientists, and analysts to apply physics-based models and image science methods in fast-paced national security missions.

The role emphasizes autonomous work, deep OPIR knowledge, and rigorous technical reporting; you will mentor junior staff and deliver technical briefs to