Remote Sensing Scientist

The Missions, Concepts and Capabilities (MCC) division of Applied Research Associates, Inc.

(ARA) is seeking a Remote Sensing Scientist to join a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and scientists developing models and tools focused on overhead persistent IR (OPIR) sensors for the Department of Defense.

The ideal candidate has a passion for remote sensing, to include modeling, analysis, and exploitation of sensor data and is comfortable writing computer code.

Representative tasks may include using high fidelity system models to develop performance estimates of remote sensing systems, developing new approaches for modeling sensing systems, validating simulated sensor performance against actual sensor data, and developing traditional image processing pipelines and advanced machine learning models for object detection within remote sensed data.

This opportunity is ideal for early-career scientists looking to get involved with remote sensing that enables the effective exploitation of OPIR sensors.

This position will place you in a team of engineers and scientists running and developing a suite of software tools used by the remote sensing community.

Our culture encourages personal and professional growth by pushing the limits of technology while creating opportunities for cross-training and mentoring within the team.

Candidates must be located within, or willing to relocate to, the National Capital Region or Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Hybrid work is permissible depending on the evolving project requirements.

The Remote Sensing Scientist may be required to:


* Develop models that accurately represent the behavior of both point and standoff sensors


* Develop system level models that accurately predict the performance of sensing systems


* Develop image processing approaches for object detection within both simulated and real sensor data


* Conduct data analysis of outputs from engineering and first principles physics codes


* Deploy machine learning and analytics tools for operational use


* Support testing, evaluation, and demonstrations of software and analytics tools in unclassified and classified environments


* Take on new challenges and learn new skills to enhance algorithm and software performance in previously unanticipated ways

Required Qualifications:


* Bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of experience in physics, electrical engineering, or related field



* Proficient in Matlab and Python, or other scripting languages


* Signal or image processing experience is required


* Experience in exploitation of remote sensing data


* Eagerness to learn new tools and techniques


* Must be a US citizen


* Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense secret security clearance

Desired Qualifications:


* Active security clearance


* Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in physics, electrical engineering, or related field


* Experience with OPIR sensor data extraction, exploita...