Expert SAR Imagery Scientist

Geo Owl · SDVOSB · Est. 2013

Expert SAR Imagery Scientist (Lead)

SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR · EXPERT LEVEL · KEY POSITION

The Government's AI model evaluation program exists to ensure that every AI model used for national security actually works against real operational imagery — not just in the lab. As the Expert SAR Imagery Scientist and modality lead, you are the person who makes that possible for SAR. You identify what imagery is needed, assess new sensors against evolving model requirements, and drive the technical direction that keeps program's accreditation pipeline moving.

Role Overview

As the SAR Lead, you are the authoritative subject matter expert on synthetic aperture radar for the program program. You'll direct the technical work to identify and acquire SAR imagery necessary to support Level 3 AI model accreditation testing — working from model cards, data cards, and test procedures to determine what imagery is required, how to acquire it, and how to pre-process and standardize it for model testing. You'll lead the SAR team, guide junior scientists, and interface with the program government team on all SAR-related requirements and recommendations. This is a fully remote SCIF-based role at a contractor facility.

Source-Derived Role Summary

The Imagery Scientist is the subject matter expert on their respective imagery modality (e.g., Synthetic Aperture Radar). They shall provide technical direction and conduct the work necessary to acquire and prepare imagery of the necessary quality, standards, and requirements provided by the Government. Developed solutions should be informed by specific phenomenology limitations and advantages of the sensors and platforms in mind.

A Day in the Life

• ✓ Review incoming model cards and test procedures from the program government team; assess what SAR imagery is required in terms of modality, geography, resolution, and look angles to support Level 3 testing
• ✓ Assess emerging SAR sensors: evaluate differences in collection characteristics, metadata, data formats, and phenomenology compared to currently utilized platforms
• ✓ Determine pre-processing and standardization approaches for new sensor data — file format conversions, tiling to specified sizes or geospatial bounds, and ETL adaptations for schema and API changes
• ✓ Perform imagery forecasting: anticipate what SAR imagery upcoming models may require by tracking accreditation pipeline and monitoring world operational events
• ✓ Explore coincident EO imagery options that align geographically and temporally with SAR collections; coordinate with the EO lead to ensure coverage
• ✓ Lead, guide, and technically mentor the SAR team; available during Government core hours (10am–2pm EST) for government meetings and technical discussions

Why This Role Matters

Mission Impact

This program has a mandate to accredit every geospatial intelligence AI model Government deploys — including models used across multiple Government computer vision and imagery programs — for robustness against adversarial tactics. The SAR imagery you identify and prepare is what makes Level 3 accreditation testing possible. Without it, models don't get cleared for operational use.

Geo Owl Impact

As the SAR Lead and a Key Position on this program, you represent Geo Owl's technical credibility at the highest visibility point in the contract. Your performance directly shapes our reputation for mission delivery.

Your Growth

You'll gain unique expertise at the intersection of SAR science and AI/ML model accreditation — a domain that is growing rapidly as Government scales its computer vision programs. Experience leading SAR imagery operations for a government AI accreditation program is a rare and high-value career asset.

Core Responsibilities

• ▸ At the direction of the program government team, identify and acquire priority SAR imagery necessary to conduct Level 3 AI model accreditation testing
• ▸ Conduct assessments of new and emerging sensor characteristics, capabilities, metadata, and format differences compared to currently utilized platforms
• ▸ Determine data acquisition pathways, latency factors, formats, and security domain requirements for new SAR data sources
• ▸ Define pre-processing and standardization requirements to transform SAR data into states usable for labeling and model testing — including file format conversion and geospatial tiling
• ▸ Investigate sensor capability gaps; identify supplemental sources and coincident imagery platforms with matching geographic and temporal coverage
• ▸ Perform imagery forecasting to anticipate future accreditation testing needs based on incoming model pipeline and operational developments
• ▸ Develop, test, and evaluate new SAR algorithms, processes, and methodologies using advanced tools to advance mission capabilities

Required Qualifications

• ✓ Active TS/SCI clearance with eligibility for SI/TK/G/HCS/NATO access; CI polygraph required or willingness to obtain
• ✓ Minimum 18 experience points required (see experience point calculation below)
• ✓6+ years as a SAR expert with deep understanding of collection, phenomenology, image formation process, and exploitation products
• ✓ Experience using SARPy and MATLAB SAR toolbox
• ✓ Experience with RNIIRS, information theoretic-based image quality metrics, SAR imagery quality metrics (Integrated Sidelobe Ratio, Multiplicative Noise Ratio), and sensor metadata describing geometry impacts on phenomenology (graze, squint, azimuth)
• ✓ Experience exploiting SAR to determine the occurrence and location of objects of interest
• ✓ Experience developing, testing, and evaluating algorithms and processes using SAR imagery; proficiency with Python, MATLAB, Google Earth Engine, or similar advanced processing tools
• ✓ Experience communicating SAR imagery capabilities, methodologies, and products to both technical and non-technical audiences
• ✓ Deep understanding of remote sensing principles, imagery processing, and advanced exploitation methods

Preferred Qualifications

• ▸ Experience applying computer vision (CV) and machine learning (ML) techniques to SAR imagery to address intelligence problems

Experience Point Requirement

This is a Expert-level (Level 5) position requiring a minimum of 18 experience points. Points are calculated as follows:

• Education: Associate's = 2 pts  ·  Bachelor's = 3 pts  ·  Master's = +2 pts  ·  PhD = +3 pts
• Professional / Military Experience: 1 pt per year of relevant experience
• Certifications: 0.5 pts each
• Specialized Training: 0.25 pts per relevant course
• Professional Impact (publications, presentations, patents): up to 3 pts total

Tools, Technologies & Tradecraft

SARPy MATLAB SAR Toolbox Python Google Earth Engine SAR Phenomenology RNIIRS SAR Imagery Quality Metrics ETL / Data Pipelines Computer Vision [Preferred] ML Techniques [Preferred]

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

• ▸ You read a model card and immediately understand what SAR imagery — by geometry, resolution, and scene characteristics — will make or break the accreditation test
• ▸ You can assess an unfamiliar sensor with incomplete documentation and make sound, defensible recommendations to the government customer
• ▸ You lead technically — your team trusts your judgment on SAR science, and you communicate it clearly enough that non-technical stakeholders act on it
• ▸ You're a forward thinker — you don't just respond to requirements, you anticipate what the accreditation pipeline will need next and position the team accordingly
• ▸ You hold a high standard for data quality — you understand that the wrong imagery for a model test produces misleading accreditation results, and you prevent that

Is This Role For You?

✔ Great Fit

You are a senior SAR imagery scientist with deep phenomenology expertise and a proven ability to translate complex sensor science into operational decisions. You want a role where your expertise drives a critical government mission — AI model accreditation — and where you lead a team doing technically demanding work in a SCIF environment.

✘ May Not Be For You

This may not be the right fit if you prefer model development or finished intelligence production roles, or if leading a team while maintaining your own technical output feels like too much context-switching. This role also requires working from a certified contractor SCIF — remote work from home is not an option.

Career Growth & Professional Value

This role places you at the technical frontier of AI model governance in the national security community — an area that is growing rapidly as Government and its partners scale their computer vision programs. You'll develop expertise in AI/ML accreditation workflows, multi-program imagery assessment across multiple Government AI/ML programs, and the Hyperspectral office, and cross-sensor integration at the pre-operational level. For a SAR expert looking to stay at the cutting edge while building program leadership experience, this is a distinctive opportunity.

Benefits:

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Health Insurance (Geo Owl pays 80%+ of the premium).

401k matching.

Dental, Vision, and other supplemental insurance plans available.

Company-paid short-term and long-term disability and life insurance.

Peer-to-Peer spot bonuses.

120 hours of PTO per year plus federal holidays.

Fully Paid Military Leave: *You make your full Geo Owl salary while you are on military duty*

Exiting the Military? Apply to our Military Transition Program for key insights into making the transition to civilian life from people who have been there before!

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About Us:

Geo Owl is a premier provider of geospatial intelligence services, delivering cutting-edge solutions to the Department of Defense, intelligence agencies, and enterprises around the globe. Our comprehensive products and services include advanced geospatial analysis, imagery intelligence, remote sensing analysis, data science, and space-based custom intelligence solutions. At Geo Owl, we are dedicated to leveraging the latest analytic principles and technology to support and enhance the missions of our clients.

Our core values—innovation, integrity, and excellence—drive everything we do. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of geospatial intelligence to ensure our clients receive the most accurate, timely, and actionable intelligence possible. Integrity is at the heart of our operations; we uphold the highest standards of ethics and accountability in our work. Striving for excellence is not just a goal but a standard; we consistently aim to exceed expectations in every project.

Geo Owl's culture is built on collaboration, continuous learning, and respect. We cultivate an environment where team members can grow both personally and professionally. Our team is composed of passionate, dedicated experts who are always ready to support each other. We value work-life balance, offering flexible working arrangements and a supportive workplace where everyone feels valued.

At Geo Owl, we invest in our employees' growth and development. We provide ongoing training, career advancement opportunities, and a platform to work on impactful projects that make a real difference. Our team enjoys a strong sense of camaraderie and purpose, knowing that their work contributes to national security and global stability. If you are looking for a dynamic, rewarding career in geospatial intelligence, Geo Owl is the place for you. Join us and be part of a team that is shaping the future of geospatial intelligence.

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Our 14 Principles:

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Equal Opportunities
Geo Owl is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, marital status, military status, genetic predisposition, or any other basis protected by law.

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