Sensor Algorithm Engineer Jobs in Chantilly, VA (NOW HIRING)

Description

Job Title/Type:

Senior/Principal Software Architect

Pay Range:

$150,000 - $225,000.00

Are you looking for more than just a seat on a contract?

Are you looking for a place where your work truly matters? At Skyline Scientific, your ideas won't get buried in bureaucracy-they'll directly shape mission-critical capabilities for the intelligence and defense communities.

Our engineers build cutting-edge software that powers real-world remote sensing, OPIR, and dynamic sensor operations. You'll work alongside experts in AI, high-performance computing, and advanced analytics to solve some of the hardest technical challenges in national security. With top-tier benefits, an entrepreneurial culture, and a close-knit team that values innovation, this is the environment where senior engineers can make a real, measurable impact. Skyline Scientific is seeking a Senior/Principal Software Architect to lead the design and development of advanced software solutions supporting the intelligence and defense communities. In this role, you will architect high-performance systems, guide technical strategy, and collaborate with algorithm, sensor, and AI/ML teams to deliver next-generation capabilities for remote sensing, EO/IR, OPIR, SAR, and data-driven mission analytics. This is a hands-on, mission-focused position with direct customer interaction, offering the opportunity to influence architectures and build operational tools that support national-security missions.

Why Skyline Scientific?

• Mission-Focused Work: We solve hard problems in remote sensing, AI-enhanced analytics, and sensor fusion-our work directly impacts national security.
• Industry-Leading Benefits: 15% 401(k) match (no contribution required) and employer-paid healthcare-one of the best packages in the industry.
• Custom Solutions, Not Cookie-Cutter Code: We build AI-enhanced software for electro-optical, infrared, OPIR, SAR, and dynamic sensor applications.
• High-Performing Team: Collaborate with AI/ML experts, algorithm engineers, and sensor specialists to develop cutting-edge software.
• Opportunities to Innovate: Our engineers don't just write code-they research, design, and deploy groundbreaking AI/ML and sensing algorithms.
• JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
• The role involves both strategic planning and hands-on execution and guidance throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC). 

Planning and Design

• Gathering Requirements: Collaborating with stakeholders, product managers, and clients to understand and define functional and non-functional requirements (e.g., security, performance, scalability, modifiability).
• Creating Blueprints: Designing the overall system architecture, creating high-level specifications, technical blueprints, and diagrams (like UML) that outline components, interfaces, and interactions.
• Technology Selection: Evaluating and selecting appropriate technology stacks, programming languages, frameworks, and tools (e.g., cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating technical risks and potential issues in the design phase.

Execution and Oversight

• Technical Leadership & Guidance: Providing technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to development and engineering teams, ensuring adherence to architectural standards and best practices.
• Coding & Prototyping: Writing core code, developing proof-of-concepts (POCs), and building prototypes to validate proposed designs and reduce technical risk.
• Monitoring Progress: Overseeing the development process to ensure consistency with the initial design and tracking project progress against established timelines and budgets.
• Quality Assurance: Conducting design and code reviews, ensuring the final product meets all quality, security, and performance requirements, and troubleshooting issues as they arise. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Bachelor's degree in Computer/Electrical Engineering, Image Science, or related STEM field
• 10+ years enterprise software engineering within DoD or IC environments
• Expert-level experience with:
• Java, Spring, REST, Angular or ExtJS/GWT
• Python and C/C++
• Distributed systems: Hadoop, HDFS, HBase, Kafka, Elasticsearch (or equivalent)
• Background in remote sensing, signal processing, or image analytics
• Experience integrating algorithms into deployable software packages
• Strong DevOps experience (AWS, Jenkins, Git, Maven/Gradle)
• Knowledge of IC security and compliance requirement

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• TS/SCI with polygraph
• Master's degree in a relevant technical field
• Experience with GEOINT, SIGINT, EW, or sensor phenomenology
• Familiarity with TensorFlow, PyTorch, and LLM/RAG development
• Experience integrating RADAR, SAR, LIDAR, or EO/IR algorithms
• Strong background in cloud architectures and large-scale data processing

BENEFITS:

• Attractive Salary 
• Paid Time Off (PTO): 25 days 
• Medical, Dental, & Vision: Employer-Paid
• Disability & Life Insurance Coverage  
• 401k: 15% Employer Match (no contribution required) 
• Profit Sharing Options 
• Compressed Workweek Options 
• Annual Performance Bonus 
• Referral & Incentive Bonus Opportunities
• Professional Development & Education Assistance
• Relocation Assistance Options

Join Skyline Scientific-Where Innovation Meets Mission.

This isn't a role where you'll sit idle on a contract-it's an opportunity to design, develop, and deploy advanced software and AI-driven solutions that impact national security. If you're looking for a position where your expertise is valued, your work makes a difference, and you're surrounded by top-tier talent, apply today.

Our company is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment where all employees are valued and respected.