Demo

Scientist

Arete Associates
Tucson, AZ Full Time
POSTED ON 6/19/2026 CLOSED ON 8/19/2026

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Scientist position at Arete Associates?

At Areté, we are on the forefront of developing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation’s most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth. 

Discover your future with us. 

We are seeking a mid-level Software/Algorithm Developer with a strong background in Math, Physics, and/or Scientific Computing. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team of signal/image processing scientists and software engineers focused on developing robust, high-performance software solutions for advanced sensing and data analysis applications. In this role, you will design, develop, test, and maintain production-quality software, while contributing to the development, evaluation, and optimization of signal and image processing algorithms. Responsibilities include analyzing data, assessing algorithm performance, prototyping new algorithmic approaches, integrating algorithms into scalable software architectures, and collaborating across teams to deliver reliable, efficient, and maintainable operational capabilities.

The successful candidate will have opportunities in one or more of the following areas: signal/image processing, acoustic sensor (sonar) processing, object detection and tracking, computer vision, physics-based modeling and simulation, data analysis, sensor characterization, computer vision, and machine learning. These efforts involve the development of advanced algorithms, scalable software architectures, data processing pipelines, modeling and simulation frameworks, and operational software systems that support real-world applications. This position will be based at our Tucson, AZ office and is a non-supervisory, exempt, full-time position.

This role requires a passion for solving challenging technical problems in a collaborative environment.

We have an impressive range of benefits, programs, and perks that we offer:

Health & Wellness:

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Life and Long-Term Disability (LTD)
  • Vision Reimbursement
  • Fitness Reimbursement

Financial:

  • Company-funded 5% contribution to your 401(k) retirement plan
  • Company-funded 5% contribution to your Employee Stock Ownership Plan
  • Continuing Education Funds

Work-Life Balance:

  • Flexible Scheduling
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Parental and Bereavement Leave

What We Value:

  • Creativity and innovation in solving challenges
  • Integrity and responsibility in all actions
  • Collaboration across teams and specialties
  • Responsiveness in fast-paced environments
  • Passion for national security and excellence

Experiences and Background We Look For (required skills):

  • Qualified candidates will have a BS, MS, or PhD in a STEM discipline
  • Strong background in mathematics and physical sciences
  • Significant experience programming in Python, C/C , MATLAB or similar languages
  • Experience designing software using object-oriented design methods
  • Demonstrated experience with signal processing, image processing, and/or computer vision
  • Intellectual curiosity and a desire for continuous learning
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision and collaborate with small teams
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Willingness to work onsite in the office 100%
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance

Nice to Have (preferred skills):

  • Experience with optical, electro-optical, and/or acoustic (sonar) sensors and their data products
  • Experience with machine learning, deep learning, artificial intelligence, object classification, and/orautomated target recognition
  • Physics-based modeling and simulation experience
  • Experience working in a Linux environment
  • Parallel programming experience (threads, MPI, CUDA, etc.)
  • Active Secret Clearance

The salary range for this role depends on the candidate’s level of experience:

  • Scientist 1: $80,000 - $110,000 [required BS degree or higher]
  • Scientist 2: $100,000 - $130,000 [minimum experience of BS 2 years, OR MS 0 years]

However, Arete considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.

Other Considerations

Areté is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination, and we believe every person has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equal consideration. Areté is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.

Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility.

Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

Areté will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Areté Human Resources at 818-885-2200 for assistance.

Salary : $80,000 - $130,000

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