Lead SAR Data Scientist/Imagery Scientist (TS/SCI Clearance required)

NorthHill Technology Resources has a need for a Lead SAR Data Scientist/Imagery Scientist to join a Federal Program in Springfield, VA.  This is a direct-hire opportunity with our client, a highly respected Federal Integrator.  A current TS/SCI Clearance is required.

We are seeking an experienced Lead SAR Data Scientist / Imagery Scientist to join a high-performing team developing advanced solutions for complex national security and intelligence challenges.

This program focuses on evaluating artificial intelligence and machine learning models against existing government datasets to assess robustness across a wide range of adversarial scenarios. The team will also support the development and evaluation of automated algorithms capable of making operational decisions in dynamic environments.

As the Lead SAR Exploitation / Imagery Scientist, you will serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery. You will provide technical leadership in the acquisition, preparation, processing, and exploitation of SAR data, ensuring imagery meets Government quality standards and mission requirements. You will also develop solutions that account for the unique phenomenology, capabilities, and limitations of SAR sensors and collection platforms.

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance with eligibility for CI Polygraph (we can sponsor your CI poly if you don't already have one)
• 6 years of experience as a SAR exploitation or imagery expert with a strong understanding of:
  • SAR collection principles
  • Radar phenomenology
  • Image formation processes
  • SAR exploitation products
• Experience using SARPy and the MATLAB SAR Toolbox
• Knowledge of SAR image quality assessment, including:
  • RNIIRS
  • Information-theoretic image quality metrics
  • Integrated Sidelobe Ratio (ISLR)
  • Multiplicative Noise Ratio (MNR)
• Experience interpreting sensor metadata and understanding how collection geometry (e.g., graze angle, squint angle, azimuth) impacts SAR phenomenology
• Demonstrated experience exploiting SAR imagery to detect, identify, and geolocate objects of interest
• Experience developing, testing, and evaluating SAR processing algorithms, methodologies, and analytical products
• Proficiency with advanced data processing and scientific computing tools such as Python, MATLAB, and Google Earth Engine
• Strong understanding of remote sensing principles, imagery processing, and advanced exploitation techniques
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience applying computer vision (CV), machine learning (ML), or deep learning techniques to SAR imagery for intelligence, defense, or remote sensing applications
• Experience supporting AI/ML model development, validation, or operational testing using SAR datasets

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate emerging SAR sensor capabilities and compare performance against currently fielded collection platforms.
• Assess the impact of new sensor data on existing data architectures, including metadata, file formats, schemas, APIs, and ETL processes required for integration into operational data pipelines.
• Determine data acquisition strategies, expected collection latency, available data formats, and applicable security domains for new sensor sources.
• Design and implement preprocessing workflows to standardize imagery for labeling, analysis, and AI/ML model evaluation, including format conversion, image tiling, and geospatial normalization.
• Identify capability gaps associated with emerging sensors and recommend complementary data sources when appropriate.
• Assess opportunities for multi-source and coincident collections by identifying complementary imagery from additional platforms (e.g., EO/IR) with comparable geographic and temporal coverage.
• Provide technical leadership on SAR phenomenology, exploitation methodologies, and sensor performance to support Government mission objectives.
• Collaborate with data scientists, AI/ML engineers, and mission analysts to ensure SAR data is optimized for advanced analytics and model development.