Geospatial Remote Sensing/Terrain Analysis Data Scientist

Key Skills

3D data processing, C Programming, C# Programming, C++, Computer Vision (CV), Java Programming, MATLAB Programming, Python Programming, R Programming

Job Description

Battelle delivers when others can’t. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients—whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency.

We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply. 

Job Summary

Battelle's National Security Business Unit is seeking Geospatial Researcher/Data Scientists to support research and development activities. This position is located at the Army Geospatial Center (AGC) Army Engineer Research Development Center’s (ERDC) Geospatial Research Laboratory (GRL) in Ft. Belvoir, VA. A full benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, 401k, pension plan, and tuition reimbursement is available. Compensation will be based on relevant qualifications and experience. Relocation support is not available.

GRL conducts geospatial research, development, and evaluation of current and emerging geospatial technologies that will help characterize and measure phenomena within the physical (terrain) and social (cultural) environments encountered by the U.S. Army. GRL also engages in research to support the development of the Army Geospatial Enterprise, as well as develop geospatially enabled technologies for Joint, other Services and Functional Combatant Command (COCOM) supported programs.

Candidate will be a member of one of the Tactical Geospatial Information Capabilities (TGIC) research teams (Mapping & Modeling, Robotics, Enhanced Terrain Processing). Work supports diverse research with applications in military engineering, DoD installation management and Army Corps of Engineering Division/District projects, including research on Unknown Environment Exploration (UEE) collection - exterior, interior, and subterranean point cloud data derived from LiDAR and EO sensor systems (aerial, terrestrial, and mobile). Research leverages Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (SLAM) to efficiently explore unknown areas by finding navigable routes utilizing diverse sensor platforms and payloads. The goal of this R&D is to leverage frontier-based exploration with unmanned platforms to produce enhanced 3-D mapping products. Detection, monitoring and mitigating environmental/ecosystem/social impacts from climate change, across the DoD’s mission space is also an expanding focus and areas of effort.

Responsibilities

• Survey control data collection and product generation. 
• Design and developed automation code to enhance 2D and 3D data sets using satellite stereo images and an open-source photogrammetry software.
• Enhance and improve ArcGIS toolbox and ensure production-ready for warfighter use
• Review literature to identify appropriate methods to solve a problem, then implement those methods.
• Extract and organize data from existing databases and data files, often at significantly varying scales.
• Critically evaluate data for quality measures such as completeness, accuracy, and applicability, applying understanding of relevant research area nomenclature
• Communicate technical results in a clear, concise, and effective manner with emphasis on data visualization techniques.
• Maintain excellent communication and interact with both co-located and geographically diverse team members.
• Analyze and interpret data collected.
• Implement methodologies for solving problems with minimum guidance. Perform other duties as assigned by Technical Lead.

   

Key Qualifications

• Master’s level graduates must highlight a quality thesis, as well as the ability to clearly present their research objectives, methods, and results. 
• PhD graduates must demonstrate a depth and breadth of expertise relevant to the mapping and monitoring of complex earth systems, including a record of journal publications and conference presentations. 
• Post-doctoral investigators should also demonstrate experience with research project development (i.e., successful proposals) as well as leading multi-disciplinary investigations.

• Exceptional undergraduate candidates with related experience will also be considered.
• Must be US Citizen
• A multi-disciplinary background in earth systems science. Desired areas of expertise include: Forest Science, Ecology, Physical Geography, Environmental Conservation, Natural Resource Science and Management
• Knowledge of the interactions of flora & fauna, soil, water, air and man-made infrastructure across all global biomes, including artic, tropical, xeric and urban ecosystems. Candidates must demonstrate an understanding of earth systems commensurate with their graduate degree and experience. 
• Advanced capabilities in the acquisition and processing of remotely sensed/geospatial data.
• Demonstrated capabilities to acquire, process, and analyze remotely sensed data from both commercial and government-owned 2D and 3D sensor systems to support multidisciplinary investigations. 
• Research experience with multi-modal remotely sensed data, both passive (multispectral and hyperspectral imaging) and active (lidar and radar) sensor systems, 
• Advanced experience with ESRI and ENVI software.
• A proven research record that highlights excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to author technical articles and a history of publishing in peer-reviewed journals. 
• Ability to brief technical material while minimizing technical jargon.
• Self-starter with natural curiosity and a sincere interest in furthering geospatial capabilities for the US Army and the Nation.

   

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL), OpenCV, rasterio, computer vision, geospatial image processing.
• Proficiency with three-dimensional (3-D) data including 3D Tiles, Well-formed format (WFF), glTF, mesh formats, mesh manipulation and texturing. 
• Proficiency with open-source Structure-from-Motion (SfM) packages.
• Proficiency and ability to use multiple programming languages including, but not limited to, Python, R, C/C++/C#, MATLAB, Java
• Proficiency with Windows and Unix-based operating systems. Ability to design, create, and utilize Docker containers.
• Deep knowledge of remote sensing fundamental concepts, geospatial vector layer formats, setup and operation of WMS/WMTS services

   

Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life

We care about your well-being, not just on the job. Battelle offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to help you live your best life.

• Balance life through a compressed work schedule: Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off—giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.
• Take time to recharge: You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.
• Prioritize wellness: Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
• Better together: Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
• Build your financial future: Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that. 
• Advance your education: Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.
• Flexible work arrangements: You have options for where you work and when you work.