Entry Level Geospatial Data Engineer Jobs in Washington

Geo Owl • SDVOSB • Est. 2013
Geospatial Analyst
NGA MAVEN PROGRAM • GEOINT • MULTI-INT ANALYSIS • MIDDLE
Machine learning models need training data that reflects the real world - and identifying which imagery captures the right objects, scenes, and characteristics requires a GEOINT analyst who understands what they're looking at. As the Geospatial Analyst on NGA Maven, you'll bring imagery expertise, multi-INT analytical tradecraft, and quantitative methods together to curate data that makes AI/ML model development more effective and operationally relevant.
Role Overview
The Geospatial Analyst provides geospatial and imagery expertise and quantitative analysis to make recommendations that improve data curation and development in support of Machine Learning algorithm training and evaluation. You'll leverage multi-INT data to prioritize and curate imagery from emerging sensors, recommend curation strategies, identify data gaps, and apply GEOINT tradecraft alongside data science methods to build diverse, representative datasets for model development.
Source-Derived Role Summary
The Geospatial Analyst shall provide geospatial and imagery expertise and quantitative analysis to make recommendations that improve data curation and development in support of Machine Learning algorithm training and evaluation.
A Day in the Life

• Leverage multi-INT data to curate imagery from emerging sensors - prioritizing collection that contains objects of interest or needed scene characteristics per government direction
• Conduct spatial and spatial-temporal analysis of data holdings; recommend curation strategies based on geographic coverage, scene attributes, and ML model development needs
• Exploit imagery and analyze geospatial data using GEOINT tradecraft and tools (NGA-authorized geospatial exploitation tools, ArcGIS Pro, Jupyter Notebook) to support data analysis and exploitation tasks
• Apply statistical and mathematical analyses to identify trends, solve problems, and optimize performance across the data curation and labeling pipeline
• Develop explanatory and predictive models; conduct comparative and alternative analysis to address complex military and intelligence challenges
• Select and apply GIS analysis methods (viewshed/LOS, mobility, terrain, spatial statistics, geospatial modeling) to support multi-INT research and curation recommendations

Why This Role Matters
Mission Impact
The imagery you prioritize for curation becomes the labeled training data that teaches Maven's AI/ML models to identify objects of interest. Your analytical judgment directly influences the diversity and representativeness of that dataset - and therefore the quality of model outputs used in real intelligence operations.
Geo Owl Impact
Your GEOINT tradecraft brings a critical analytical dimension to Geo Owl's technical team on Maven - ensuring the data pipeline stays grounded in real imagery expertise, not just engineering throughput.
Your Growth
You'll expand your geospatial tradecraft into applied data science and AI/ML data operations - developing skills in quantitative analysis, spatial statistics, and ML-informed imagery curation increasingly valued across the GEOINT community.
Core Responsibilities

• Leverage multi-INT data to curate imagery from emerging sensors; prioritize collection with objects of interest or needed characteristics per government direction
• Based on sensor characteristics and limitations, recommend curation strategies and identify data gaps to build diverse, representative datasets for ML model development
• Identify and apply data mining, retrieval, and statistical analysis techniques to detect trends, solve problems, and optimize pipeline performance
• Collect, process, and analyze large volumes of data to build and enhance products, processes, and systems
• Conduct spatial and spatial-temporal analysis of data holdings; apply knowledge of elevation, terrain, and geospatial modeling to support imagery curation
• Exploit imagery and analyze geospatial data using GEOINT tools and tradecraft to support data manipulation, exploitation, and conversion of multi-intelligence information
• Select and execute multi-INT research methods; conduct descriptive analyses and exploit intelligence databases to support mission objectives
• Implement GA tradecraft including GIS analyses such as viewshed/LOS, Mobility, Order of Battle, Geospatial Synthesis, Geospatial Modeling, Terrain, and Spatial Statistics

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Minimum 5 experience points required (see experience point calculation below)
• Experience with imagery analytical products and conducting multi-INT analysis
• Proficiency with structured, unstructured, and semi-structured data and visualization tools; ability to exploit data through programming and scripting with advanced geospatial skills; strong understanding of how to apply evolving technology and methodologies to geospatial problems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with or developing machine learning algorithms for exploiting overhead imagery and/or motion imagery products

Experience Point Requirement
This is a Middle-level (Level 3) position requiring a minimum of 5 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
NGA-Authorized Exploitation Tools ArcGIS Pro Jupyter Notebook Multi-INT Analysis Spatial Statistics GEOINT Tradecraft GIS Analysis ML Algorithms [Preferred]
What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

• You read imagery analytically - you see scene characteristics, object signatures, and collection geometry as factors that affect ML model performance, not just visual content
• You think spatially and temporally - you know how geographic coverage, seasonal variation, and scene diversity affect training data quality
• You're technically versatile - you can script in Python or use GIS tools as the task demands, without being siloed into one approach
• You bring GEOINT rigor to data curation - your recommendations are evidence-based, traceable, and defensible to a government customer
• You're curious about AI/ML - you want to understand how your analytical decisions upstream influence model training outcomes downstream

Is This Role For You?
• Great Fit
You are a mid-level GEOINT or imagery analyst who wants to apply your tradecraft to AI/ML data operations on a cutting-edge national security program. You're comfortable with both analytical and technical work, and you're energized by the idea of your expertise directly shaping how machine learning models are trained.
✘ May Not Be For You
This may not be the right fit if you prefer finished intelligence production or all-source analytical roles without a data operations and curation component, or if applying GIS and quantitative methods to ML data pipeline tasks is outside your area of interest.
Career Growth & Professional Value
This role positions you at the leading edge of AI-enabled GEOINT - where traditional imagery expertise and machine learning data operations converge. You'll deepen your proficiency in spatial analysis, quantitative methods, and ML-informed curation while gaining exposure to the full data pipeline that drives one of NGA's most advanced AI programs.
Benefits:
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!
Engage with Your Team!
About Us:
Our mission is to empower EVERYONE with geospatial technologies.
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.
A Note From Our CEO:
Our 14 Principles:
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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