Image Scientist

About the role

The Image Scientist (IS) serves as a technical specialist for research, evaluation, and verification of complex image and video processing systems for geospatial intelligence sensors, systems, and applications. The IS provides expert-level consultation, problem-solving, and verification for all GEOINT quality assessments, studies, and standards. They provide detailed recommendations and risk assessments to Government and technical leadership. The IS designs, develops, evaluates, and verifies the implementation of complex image processing software products, algorithms, and workflows. Additionally, they mentor and guide junior image scientists in developing criteria for testing algorithm and system’s cognitive performance objectively from an end-user perspective, and perform evaluation and testing on simulated and operational data.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert-level consultation, problem-solving, and verification for all GEOINT quality assessments, studies, and standards.
• Design, develop, evaluate, and verify the implementation of complex image processing software products, algorithms, and workflows.
• Mentor and guide junior image scientists in the development of criteria for testing algorithm and system’s cognitive performance objectively from an end-user perspective, as well as perform evaluation and testing on simulated and operational data.

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI with the ability to obtain a Poly
• Master's degree/PhD in Imaging Science, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics or quantitative science field and 10 years of experience as a Image Scientist
• Demonstrated knowledge of digital imaging systems principles and practices
• Experience supporting the development, testing, and analysis of image collection systems
• Experience applying engineering standards, principles, theories, concepts and techniques to solve complex problems associated with image product formation from raw sensor and associated metadata
• Experience or working knowledge with advanced photogrammetric techniques and principles
• Experience performing image system simulations to produce realistic test data to support system validation and testing
• Experience or demonstrated ability to develop, assess, and implement Image Quality Equations
• Experience building image processing algorithms
• Experience programming in Matlab and/or Python, C++, or other equivalent programming languages
• Experience analyzing and assessing quality of image data across the full-range of sensor types, sources, and phenomenology’s

Qualifications

• Graduation from and accredited Image Science program at a university or military training program.
• Basic understanding of simulation and modeling techniques or the image creation process.
• Working knowledge of imagery systems to include basic types of PAN, IR, and RADAR.
• Working knowledge of various basic ELTs, Matlab, and mathematics/equations/functions.
• Basic knowledge of sensor types to include airborne, space-borne, and FMV.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office tools.
• Basic oral and written communication skills.

Junior Level

• Basic understanding of simulation and modeling techniques or the image creation process.
• Working knowledge of imagery systems to include basic types of PAN, IR, and RADAR.
• Working knowledge of various basic ELTs, Matlab, and mathematics/equations/functions.
• Basic knowledge of sensor types to include airborne, space-borne, and FMV.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office tools.
• Basic oral and written communication skills.

Mid Level

• Experience with creation of imagery evaluations, image quality studies, new product/sensor initializations, product algorithm assessments, and the development of image quality equations.
• Working knowledge and practical application of modeling components of the image creation path to include sensor, detector, atmospheric, and material properties.
• Experience with imaging systems to include PAN, IR, MSI/HSI, RADAR, and LIDAR, on both space or airborne platforms.
• Simulation and modeling experience and ability to develop algorithm description documentation for software development.
• Familiarity with current GEOINT systems, products and development, as well as exploitation software packages such as all ELTs, AGITK, and other software plug-ins or applications necessary to develop test and verification methodologies.

Senior Level

• Ability to develop and lead any large-scale evaluations to include, but not limited to, image quality studies, new product/sensor initializations, product algorithm assessments, back to operations reviews, and the development of image quality equations (IQEs).
• Full image processing and digital signal processing experience.
• Image chain analysis to include atmospheric modeling, signal quality and noise, optics, detector calibration, and image processing of pixel data to display radiometrically correct values.
• Application of error estimation for thermometric and material identification products.
• Understanding and application of image quality standards such as NIIRS scales and metrics.
• Significant applied knowledge of sensor imaging systems, products, and exploitation processes.
• Strong understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle to include independent testing and data verification.
• Strong written and oral communication skills to include briefing and creation of presentations.
• Self-starter with ability to learn, research, and solve problems with on their own accord.
• Work is highly independent and you may assume a lead role.