Expert EO Imagery

Expert EO Imagery Scientist (Lead)

Every AI model that NGA deploys for computer vision missions must be independently accredited against real operational imagery before it goes into use. As the Expert EO Imagery Scientist and modality lead on AGAIM, you are the person who ensures the electro‑optical side of that pipeline has the right imagery—identified, assessed, and prepared with the precision that rigorous AI testing demands.

You will lead the EO team and set the technical standard for image identification, sensor assessment, and data preparation that supports one of the most consequential oversight programs in the intelligence community.

As the EO Lead, you are AGAIM's authoritative voice on electro‑optical imagery. Working from model cards, data cards, and test procedures provided by the AGAIM government team, you'll determine what EO imagery is required for Level 3 AI accreditation testing—by modality, geography, resolution, and collection geometry—and direct the work to identify, assess, and pre‑process it. You'll lead the EO team, collaborate closely with the SAR lead to ensure coincident coverage, and interface with the government customer on all EO‑related technical requirements.

This is a SCIF‑based role performed at a contractor facility.

• Review model cards and test documentation from AGAIM; assess what EO imagery—by modality, geographic area, resolution, and look angle—is required to support Level 3 testing for each model
• Assess emerging EO sensors: evaluate differences in collection characteristics, phenomenology, metadata formats, and schema changes compared to currently utilized platforms
• Define pre‑processing requirements: file format conversions (e.g., PNG, NITF), tiling to specified dimensions or geospatial bounds, and ETL adaptations needed for new sensor integration
• Coordinate with the SAR Imagery Scientist Lead to provide coincident EO imagery aligned with SAR collection areas and temporal windows
• Perform imagery forecasting: anticipate upcoming accreditation testing needs by monitoring the incoming model pipeline and relevant world operational developments
• Lead and technically mentor the EO team; be available during NGA core hours (10 am–2 pm EST) for government meetings and technical direction

• At the direction of the AGAIM government team, identify and acquire priority EO imagery necessary to conduct Level 3 AI model accreditation testing
• Conduct assessments of new and emerging EO sensor characteristics, capabilities, metadata, and data format differences compared to currently utilized platforms
• Determine acquisition pathways, latency factors, data formats, and security domain requirements for new EO data sources
• Define pre‑processing and standardization requirements to transform EO data into states usable for labeling and model testing—file format conversion, tiling to pixel dimensions or geospatial boundaries
• Investigate sensor capability gaps and identify supplemental or coincident imagery sources; collaborate with SAR lead to provide EO imagery aligned with SAR temporal and geographic collection windows
• Perform imagery forecasting to anticipate future accreditation needs based on upcoming models and world operational developments
• Develop, test, and evaluate new EO algorithms and methodologies using advanced processing tools to advance AGAIM's accreditation capabilities

• Active TS/SCI clearance with eligibility for SI/TK/G/HCS/NATO access; CI polygraph required or willingness to obtain
• Minimum 18 experience points required (see experience point calculation below)
• 4+ years as an EO expert with deep understanding of collection, phenomenology, image formation process, and exploitation products
• Experience exploiting the electromagnetic spectrum (electro‑optical) to determine the occurrence and location of objects of interest
• Experience developing, testing, and evaluating algorithms and processes using EO imagery; proficiency with Python, MATLAB, Google Earth Engine, or similar advanced processing tools
• Experience communicating EO imagery capabilities, methodologies, and products to both technical and…