Expert SAR Imagery Scientist
Geo Owl · SDVOSB · Est. 2013
Expert SAR Imagery Scientist
NGA MAVEN PROGRAM · GEOINT · ISR
This is a role for a true SAR professional: someone who understands not just how to use imagery, but how the sensor, collection geometry, metadata, and image formation process shape what can be trusted. Your work helps emerging sensors become usable, standardized, and valuable inside NGA Maven data workflows.
Role Overview
You will serve as a SAR subject matter expert responsible for helping acquire, assess, standardize, preprocess, and deliver imagery of the quality and structure needed for labeling, model development, evaluation, and operational support. The role blends remote sensing science, SAR phenomenology, data engineering awareness, algorithm development, and clear communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Source-Derived Role Summary
The Imagery Scientist is the subject matter expert on their respective imagery modality (e.g., Synthetic Aperture Radar). They shall provide technical direction and conduct the work necessary to acquire and prepare imagery of the necessary quality, standards, and requirements provided by the Government. Developed solutions should be informed by specific phenomenology limitations and advantages of the sensors and platforms in mind.
A Day in the Life
- ✓Assess SAR collections, image quality, metadata, geometry, and phenomenology to determine whether imagery is suitable for Government-directed priorities.
- ✓Work through file formats, transformations, tiling, geospatial boundaries, label conversions, and preprocessing methods that preserve metadata and spatial integrity.
- ✓Evaluate emerging sensor characteristics and identify how those differences affect schemas, APIs, ETL processes, data structures, and curation strategy.
- ✓Develop or test algorithms and workflows in tools such as Python, MATLAB, SARPy, Google Earth Engine, or cloud-based environments.
- ✓Coordinate with EO counterparts to identify coincident imagery and support weekly or ad-hoc processed imagery deliveries.
Why This Role Matters
Mission Impact
SAR can provide unique insight where other modalities are limited. This role helps make that data operationally useful and ready for AI/ML-enabled exploitation.
Geo Owl Impact
A strong SAR scientist gives Geo Owl a credible, authoritative voice in sensor integration, data pipeline quality, and multi-source GEOINT fusion.
Core Responsibilities
- ▸Lead SAR imagery acquisition, curation, preprocessing, quality assessment, and data delivery.
- ▸Assess SAR image quality, sensor metadata, geometry, and phenomenology to guide acquisition and curation recommendations.
- ▸Develop and implement methods for tiling, file conversion, label transformation, and geospatially precise preprocessing while preserving metadata integrity.
- ▸Integrate emerging SAR sensors and platforms into Maven or Government-directed data pipelines and workflows.
- ▸Evaluate differences in metadata, data format, database structure, API requirements, and ETL processes when introducing new sensor sources.
- ▸Develop, test, and evaluate algorithms, methodologies, and products using SAR imagery and cloud-based solutions.
- ▸Generate and manage pre-labeling approaches that tip and cue human labelers to objects of interest according to defined ontology standards.
- ▸Support weekly and ad-hoc deliveries of processed imagery for mission and quick-turn operational needs.
Required Qualifications
- ✓Active TS/SCI clearance required.
- ✓Bachelor's degree in a related technical field (Remote Sensing, Physics, Electrical Engineering, GIS, or similar). Experience may substitute for degree.
- ✓5+ years of hands-on SAR imagery exploitation, processing, or sensor characterization experience.
- ✓Demonstrated experience using SARPy and MATLAB SAR toolbox.
- ✓Experience with RNIIRS, information theoretic-based image quality metrics, SAR imagery quality metrics (e.g., Integrated Sidelobe Ratio, Multiplicative Noise Ratio), and sensor metadata describing impacts of geometry on phenomenology (e.g., graze, squint, azimuth).
- ✓Experience exploiting SAR to determine the occurrence and location of objects of interest.
- ✓Experience developing, testing, and evaluating new algorithms, processes, methodologies, and products using SAR imagery — including advanced processing tools (Python, MATLAB, SARPy).
- ✓Experience communicating with technical and non-technical audiences on availability and capabilities of SAR imagery products, methodologies, procedures, and algorithms.
- ✓Deep understanding of the principles of remote sensing and imagery processing and advanced exploitation methods.
Preferred Qualifications
- ▸Experience applying computer vision (CV) and machine learning (ML) techniques to SAR imagery and data to address intelligence problems.
Tools, Technologies & Tradecraft
What Makes Someone Successful in This Role
- ▸Understands the science behind the pixels.
- ▸Explains SAR limits and advantages clearly.
- ▸Protects metadata and geospatial integrity during processing.
- ▸Connects sensor characteristics to model development needs.
- ▸Can innovate without losing operational discipline.
Is This Role For You?
✔ Great Fit
This role is ideal for a SAR expert who enjoys solving hard remote sensing problems, building usable data workflows, and helping advanced sensors become mission-relevant.
✘ May Not Be For You
This may not be the right fit if you want a narrow exploitation-only role without algorithm development, preprocessing, metadata analysis, or cross-functional technical coordination.
Career Growth & Professional Value
This role can deepen expertise in emerging sensors, AI/ML data preparation, SAR quality metrics, geospatial label conversion, cloud processing, and high-visibility technical communication.
About Geo Owl
Geo Owl is a mission-first geospatial intelligence and national security company supporting defense, intelligence, and Government missions. We value tradecraft, humility, precision, service, accountability, and people who care deeply about the mission and the team. On roles like this, our goal is to give serious professionals work that is technically meaningful, operationally relevant, and connected to outcomes that matter.
Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) • Wilmington, NC • Est. 2013 • Military Friendly Employer
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.
Follow Geo Owl on LinkedIn!