Senior Data Scientist

Description

JOB TITLE/TYPE:

Senior Data Scientist

PAY RANGE:

$150,000 - $200,000

LOCATION:

McLean, VA

JOB SUMMARY:

Are you looking for more than just a seat on a contract?

Are you looking for a place where your work truly matters? At Skyline Scientific, your ideas won’t get buried in bureaucracy—they’ll directly shape mission-critical capabilities for the intelligence and defense communities.

Our engineers build cutting-edge software that powers real-world remote sensing, OPIR, and dynamic sensor operations. You’ll work alongside experts in AI, high-performance computing, and advanced analytics to solve some of the hardest technical challenges in national security.

With top-tier benefits, an entrepreneurial culture, and a close-knit team that values innovation, this is the environment where data scientists can make a real, measurable impact.

Skyline is looking for a Senior Data Scientist to lead research, algorithm development, and advanced analytics for cutting-edge electro-optical and infrared sensing systems. This role applies physics-based modeling, image science, and data analytics to detect, track, locate, and characterize remote sensing targets. While familiarity with OPIR is valuable, the primary emphasis is on EO/IR phenomenology, sensor performance, and multi-platform remote sensing analytics in support of intelligence and defense missions.

Why Skyline Scientific?

• Mission-Focused Work:
  We solve hard problems in remote sensing, AI-enhanced analytics, and sensor fusion—our work directly impacts national security.
• Industry-Leading Benefits: 15% 401(k) match (no contribution required) and employer-paid healthcare—one of the best packages in the industry.
• Custom Solutions, Not Cookie-Cutter Code:
  We build custom/niche software for electro-optical, infrared, OPIR, SAR, and dynamic sensor applications.
• High-Performing Team:
  Collaborate with AI/ML experts, algorithm engineers, and sensor specialists to develop cutting-edge software.
• Opportunities to Innovate:
  Our engineers don’t just write code—they research, design, and deploy groundbreaking AI/ML and sensing algorithms.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide senior level research and development of advanced algorithms for EO/IR remote sensing systems, enabling detection, tracking, location, and characterization of targets.
• Design, implement, and evaluate algorithms to assess EO/IR sensor and camera system performance, including noise modeling, calibration, and sensitivity analysis.
• Conduct advanced analytics research across multiple remote sensing platforms, sensors, and collection geometries.
• Analyze datasets to extract signatures, characterize targets, and generate actionable intelligence insights.
• Review, validate, and enhance analytic products to ensure technical rigor and mission relevance.
• Maintain detailed, reproducible analysis logs documenting workflows, assumptions, and analytic methods.
• Adapt quickly to real-time mission demands and respond to EO/IR analysis requests.
• Support collection planning and requirements definition for remote sensors, coordinating priorities across multiple systems.
• Test and evaluate emerging EO/IR algorithms, tools, and exploitation platforms; and help develop new trade studies and capability assessments.
• Prepare and deliver technical briefings, analytic findings, and customer-facing presentations.
• Produce technical reports documenting analytic methodologies, results, limitations, and conclusions.
• Mentor junior analysts and researchers; contribute to analytic standards, best practices, and methodology development.
• Recommend enhancements to sensor tools, processes, and workflows; support development of new analytic applications that improve product quality.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Active TOP SECRET/SCI with the ability to obtain a Poly:
  This position requires a security clearance, which is issued by the US government—U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Image Science, Engineering, Applied Physics, Atmospheric Science, Applied Mathematics, or in related fields and 10 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with image processing and/or digital signal processing tools that process short and mid-wave…