Lead Data Scientist, GEOINT & Remote Sensing

Salary: $166,800 - 275,200 per year Requirements:

• We require a BS/BA with 7+ years of relevant experience, or an MS/MA with 5+ years, or a PhD with 3+ years of relevant experience.
• We prefer an advanced degree in data science, computer science, physics, mathematics, or a related field.
• We value expertise in GEOINT workflows, including remote sensing platforms, multimodal data fusion, and advanced geospatial analytics.
• We look for hands-on experience with hyperspectral imagery in the long-wave infrared, including algorithm development, end-to-end product pipelines, spectral sensing fundamentals, and analysis tools such as ENVI/IDL.
• We prefer experience working with SAR data, including traditional and ML-based detection/classification methods, image product conversion pipelines, rendering tools, and SAR/RADAR theory.
• We seek strong proficiency with geospatial tools such as GDAL, GeoPandas, and Google Earth Engine, as well as ML frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch.
• We prefer experience training, tuning, and applying deep learning models for remote sensing and GEOINT use cases such as ATR, object detection, and segmentation.
• We value experience deploying operational solutions in scalable, secure, or mission-critical environments.
• We prefer a track record of proposal development and securing external funding for technical or research work.
• We look for experience supporting national security sponsors such as DOE, DoD, DHS, or similar organizations.
• We require strong communication and leadership skills, including the ability to present technical findings to varied audiences and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
• We require the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.
• We require U.S. citizenship.
• We require eligibility for a federal background investigation and access to classified material.
• We require the ability to pass pre-employment and random drug testing, and to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the required period.

• We design and implement GEOINT data science solutions for complex challenges involving imagery analysis, object detection, data fusion, and geospatial workflows.
• We serve as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator on projects and tasks that integrate multiple capabilities or disciplines.
• We lead the development and deployment of machine learning pipelines for large-scale geospatial data in operational settings.
• We mentor and support junior staff to strengthen technical excellence and professional growth.
• We generate proposal ideas and identify new business opportunities by tracking emerging national security needs in GEOINT analytics.
• We build and maintain external partnerships to enhance our technical reputation and align outcomes with sponsor priorities.
• We collaborate with software engineers, geospatial analysts, and operational specialists to turn research outputs into field-ready solutions.
• We ensure compliance with quality, safety, and security standards across all project work.
• We contribute to research and development programs within our AI and Data Analytics Division.
• We work in interdisciplinary teams to deliver data-driven solutions for national security challenges.

• AI
• Support
• Machine Learning
• PyTorch
• Security
• TensorFlow
• Fine-tuning
• Hardware

More:

We are Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), a world-class research institution driven by a diverse workforce and guided by our values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Our National Security Directorate and AI and Data Analytics Division focus on mission-driven scientific and computational solutions for complex real-world threats. This role is based in Richland, WA or Seattle, WA and requires onsite presence. We offer a collaborative research environment, strong opportunities for professional growth, and excellent benefits including health, dental, vision, telehealth, mental health support, wellness coaching, retirement plans, paid time off, tuition assistance, relocation support, and family-friendly programs. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a respectful, inclusive, and drug-free workplace.

last updated 33 week of 2026