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Sensor Scientist Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Scientist Sr

Quantico, VA ยท On-site

$86K - $146K/yr

Provide imagery science support specifically related to the exploitation of imagery of the following sensor disciplines: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Thermal Infrared, Spectral, or Geospatial to ...

Senior SAR Image Scientist 100-011

Springfield, VA ยท On-site

$95K - $130K/yr

Sensor modeling; decomposing product formation elements to quantify the overall quality of the ... Degree in Image Science, Electrical Engineering, or Physics * 12 years of experience with a BS/BA ...

Imagery Scientist (EO) - Senior

Falls Church, VA ยท Remote

$97K - $133K/yr

... new sensor characteristics and capabilities compared to currently utilized platforms * Assess ... Scientific workflows * Exploitation methodologies * Experience automating scientific processing ...

Senior SAR Imagery Scientist

Springfield, VA ยท On-site

$190K - $235K/yr

Overview Senior SAR Imagery Scientist Springfield, VA or St. Louis, MO Active TS/SCI eligibility ... Louis, MO. Responsibilities You will serve as the technical lead on SAR data quality, sensor ...

Senior SAR Imagery Scientist

Springfield, VA ยท Remote

$190K - $235K/yr

Overview Senior SAR Imagery Scientist Springfield, VA or St. Louis, MO Active TS/SCI eligibility ... Louis, MO. Responsibilities You will serve as the technical lead on SAR data quality, sensor ...

Senior SAR Imagery Scientist

Springfield, VA ยท Remote

$190K - $235K/yr

Senior SAR Imagery Scientist Springfield, VA or St. Louis, MO Active TS/SCI eligibility with ... You will serve as the technical lead on SAR data quality, sensor integration, and imagery ...

Image Scientist (Entry-level)

Springfield, VA ยท On-site

$80K - $128K/yr

Sensor modeling; decomposing product formation elements to quantify the overall quality of the ... Science, Data Science, Mathematics or related STEM degree and 0-2 years of experience ...

Showing results 41-60

Sensor Scientist information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a sensor scientist, and why are they important?

A Sensor Scientist typically needs a solid background in physics, chemistry, or engineering, along with experience in sensor design, data analysis, and a relevant advanced degree. Familiarity with analytical tools, simulation software, and laboratory instrumentation is crucial, and certifications in areas like instrumentation or materials science can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for excelling in this field. These competencies enable Sensor Scientists to innovate, accurately interpret sensor data, and collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.

What are some common challenges sensor scientists face when developing new sensor technologies?

Sensor Scientists often encounter challenges such as ensuring sensitivity and accuracy of new sensors while maintaining cost-effectiveness and scalability for manufacturing. Integrating sensors with existing hardware and software platforms can also be complex, requiring close collaboration with engineers and data scientists. Additionally, staying up-to-date with rapidly evolving materials and technology standards is crucial, as is navigating regulatory requirements for safety and environmental impact.

What is a sensor scientist?

Sensor Scientists are professionals who research, design, develop, and test sensors used to detect and measure physical properties such as temperature, pressure, motion, light, or chemical composition. They work in a variety of industries including electronics, automotive, environmental monitoring, healthcare, and manufacturing. Sensor Scientists often collaborate with engineers to improve existing sensor technology or create new types of sensors for specialized applications. Their work involves both theoretical analysis and hands-on experimentation to enhance sensor performance, reliability, and integration into systems.

What is the difference between Sensor Scientist vs Sensor Engineer?

AspectSensor ScientistSensor Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a master's or Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, or materials scienceUsually holds a bachelor's or master's in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, or R&D departmentsManufacturing facilities, product development teams, or engineering firms
Primary FocusDeveloping new sensor materials and understanding sensor phenomenaDesigning, testing, and implementing sensor systems for practical applications
Industry UsageResearch and development, academia, specialized industriesElectronics, automotive, aerospace, consumer devices

Sensor Scientists focus on researching and developing new sensor materials and understanding sensor behavior, often working in labs or academic settings. Sensor Engineers apply this knowledge to design and implement sensor systems in real-world products and applications. While both roles require technical expertise, their work environments and primary objectives differ.

What cities in Washington are hiring for Sensor Scientist jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Sensor Scientist job openings:

LEAD SAR DATA/IMAGERY SCIENTIST (TS/SCI Clearance required)

NorthHill Technology

Falls Church, VA โ€ข On-site, Remote

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

NorthHill Technology Resources has a need for a Lead SAR Data Scientist/Imagery Scientist to join a Federal Program in Falls Church, 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 PythonMATLAB, 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.