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, exploitation, production, and quality control
• Experience in modeling and analyzing OPIR sensor data
• Experience in modeling and exploitation of sensor data from various sensing modalities (SAR, EO, TIR, LIDAR)
• Experience with C/C++, Fortran, or other compiled languages

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 1200 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership fosters greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, opportunities, and freedom to grow and pursue work that they are passionate about. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com.

Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the Remote Sensing Scientist position.