Imagery Development Scientist

Imagery Development Scientist

Location: Charlottesville, VA (on-site)

Clearance: Active TS/SCI

The Role

We’re looking for an Imagery Development Scientist who builds the tools that turn persistent infrared data into intelligence. You’ll work alongside community experts in persistent infrared remote sensing, using your OPIR background to design, build, and validate analytic software. You’ll use modern software practices (version control, testing, code review) and agentic AI workflows to speed up development, and you’ll know where analyst judgment has to stay in the loop.

What You’ll Own

• Design, build, and maintain algorithms, analytic tools, and data-processing pipelines for PIR collection planning, exploitation, and signature analysis, following sound software practices (version control, testing, documentation, code review)
• Use agentic AI tools and workflows to accelerate development, automate repetitive exploitation and data-conditioning tasks, and prototype new analytic methods, verifying and validating all AI-generated code and outputs before operational use
• Develop repeatable workflows for data conditioning, calibration, quality control, and uncertainty characterization
• Support 1st through 3rd phase exploitation of OPIR and other EO/IR sensor data to detect, track, and characterize events, separating real signatures from clutter and false alarms
• Review OPIR processed data, sensor metadata, and collection geometry to determine data quality
• Compare laboratory or modeled signatures with overhead observations, accounting for sensor response, geometry, atmospheric effects, and background conditions
• Move new tools and methods into operational use, including test, verification and validation, documentation, and user feedback
• Write and review reports, graphics, and briefings for analysts, leadership, and customers
• Help draft and prioritize collection requirements, and support field tests, test-range activities, and data collections
• Work directly with government customers, collectors, engineers, and analysts to define tool requirements

TS/SCI clearance, with the ability to obtain a CI polygraph

• Hands-on exploitation of OPIR or other infrared sensor data for intelligence production
• Working knowledge of IR phenomenology, including sensor resolution, sensitivity, and the strengths and limits of persistent overhead collection
• Demonstrated experience developing analytic tools or data-processing software in Python or a similar language, including Git, testing, and documentation
• Proficiency with standard GEOINT and MASINT tools such as ArcGIS, ENVI, SOCET GXP, or RemoteView