R&D Scientist (Silver Spring,MD)

Company: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA)
Location: Silver Spring
Posted on: November 20, 2020

Job Description:

Job SummaryASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION: R&D Scientists apply the scientific method in one or more disciplines (e.g., Photogrammetry, Geodesy, Computer Science, Mathematics, Image Science, Human Terrain Analysis) to advance Geospatial Science and enhance Agency tradecraft. They conduct and develop novel scientific research projects and facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration to further scientific inquiry and application. They provide technical guidance and oversight, report results, and advise management on new and evolving technology. They address a variety of complex data-related analytical problems by applying quantitative and qualitative analytic methods.Additional Job InformationADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Selected candidate will execute innovative research on automated exploitation of airborne, commercial, civil and other sources of radar data including but not limited to synthetic aperture radar (SAR) complex data related to NGA future radar processing and exploitation acquisition efforts. This position calls for extensive R&D experience in automation/machine learning using SAR data, RF Systems, Moving Target Indicator (MTI), and cross-sensor integration, which is key to the Agency achieving its strategic goals and mission imperatives. Duties also include a wide variety of cross-agency collaborations and Community leadership in radar R&D. Other duties may include: * Lead a Radar research team in completing multiple projects * Determine and define project scope and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility. Manage execution of program/project cost/schedule/budget. * Conceive of new start R&D activities and/or seedling concepts and seek internal/external funding sources. * Maintain awareness of the state-of-the-art in radar technologies and communicate to leadership. * Support requirements development, system verification, and concept of operations (CONOPS) development as well as working with system and mission analysts to ensure capabilities meet mission requirements * Develop briefings and/or written reports that present complex issues and/or relevant analytic findings in an easily understandable way to a wide variety of audiences. * Build and maintain professional relationships with other NGA offices and external partners to collaborate on effective GEOINT capabilities. * Disseminate research findings to the broader DoD/IC communities. * Possess the ability to think tactically and strategically and operate in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Additional Application Requirement: You may be asked to complete one or more assessments in addition to the application you submit on this website as part of your application to NGA. These assessments may include but are not limited to: 1) Online questionnaires or assessments that require you to describe your job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, or other characteristics that are aligned with the mandatory and desirable qualifications of this job posting. The information you provide in the application you submit must support the response you provide to this questionnaire. You will receive an email to describe any additional assessments required. Please monitor your emails and complete any required assessments as soon as possible.Mandatory QualificationsMANDATORY QUALIFICATION CRITERIA: For this particular job, applicants must meet all competencies reflected under the Mandatory Qualification Criteria to include education (if required). Online applications must demonstrate qualification by providing specific examples and associated results, in response to the announcement's mandatory criteria specified in this vacancy announcement: 1. Demonstrated experience as a subject matter expert in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and or Machine Learning (ML) (such as in Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) for radar applications, RF systems, RF in contested environments, and/or Moving Target Indictor (AMTI or GMTI) 2. Demonstrated experience in seedling new start R&D efforts (including idea conception, authoring and/or pitching proposals, and/or proposal execution utilizing the Heilmeier criteria) 3. Demonstrated experience in program management and execution (such as planning, resource allocation, risk identification & mitigation, and/or identifying transition partners) 4. Demonstrated experience in building and fostering strategic relationships between the IC, DOD, civil agencies, and academia (such as to coordinate integration of research technologies) EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A. Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering, Mathematics, Physical Science, Computer Science, or a related discipline that includes 24 semester (36 quarter) hours in Mathematics, Science and/or a related Engineering Science such as Dynamics, Electronics, Mechanics, and Properties of Materials. Such coursework includes, but is not limited to, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Programming, Data Mining, Cybersecurity, Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing, or Statistics. Although not mandatory, coursework in differential and integral calculus is preferred. -OR- B. Combination of Education and Experience: A minimum of 24 semester (36 quarter) hours of coursework as listed in option A, plus experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the duties associated with this work. As a rule, every 30 semester (45 quarter) hours of coursework is equivalent to one year of experience. Candidates should show that their combination of education and experience totals to 4 years.Highly Desired QualificationsQUALIFICATION CRITERIA: In addition to the mandatory qualifications, experience in the following is desired: 1. Doctoral degree in STEM 2. 15+ years' experience in the mandatory requirements 3. 10+ years' experience in a fast-paced R&D environment supporting contracts and programs of size, scope, and complexity similar to those at NGA Research 4. Experience in High Performance/Cloud ComputingAdditional Job RequirementsYou must be able to obtain and retain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. In addition, you are subject to a Counterintelligence Polygraph examination in order to maintain access to Top Secret information. All employees are subject to a periodic examination on a random basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Refusal to take the examination may result in denial of access to Top Secret information, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs. Employees with SCI access and who are under NGA cognizance are required to submit a Security Financial Disclosure Report, SF-714, on an annual basis in order to determine continued eligibility. Failure to comply may negatively impact continued access to Top Secret information, Information Systems, SAP, and/or unescorted access to SCIFs.Pay, Benefits, & Work SchedulePROMOTION OPPORTUNITY: Promotion opportunities allow applicants at all band levels to be considered. Qualifications for NGA positions do not include specific time-in-band requirements. NGA will emphasize quality of experience, rather than duration, and assess how the quality of the experience demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance in the NGA occupational structure. Band 05 $142,701 - $170,800 PERMANENT CHANGE IN STATION: PCS expenses are not authorized. Pay is only part of the compensation you will earn working for the Federal Government. We offer a broad array of benefits programs and family friendly flexibilities to meet the needs of you and your family. For more information on the array of benefits programs, please visit Cover LetterApplicants are not required to submit a cover letter. The entire cover letter cannot exceed the specified limits provided in the Cover Letter field (3,000 characters). Pages exceeding this limit will not be considered. The cover letter is recommended but is not required for employment consideration with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Applicants should place their narrative information in the Cover Letter / Other Professional Details field.Who may applyExternal Applicants OnlyHow to applyApplication submission involves applying using the Intelligence Community's Applicant Gateway on-line application process. ONLY ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.How will I be evaluated?APPLICANT EVALUATION PROCESS: Applicants will be evaluated for this job opportunity in three stages: 1) All applicants will be evaluated using the Mandatory Qualification Criteria, 2) Qualified applicants will then be evaluated by an expert or panel of experts using a combination of qualification criteria to determine the best-qualified candidates, 3) Best-qualified applicants may then be further evaluated through an interview process. Military retiree applicants, if selected, may be impacted by the 180-day appointment restrictions of DODI 1402.01. HD personnel will provide additional information if applicable. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Assignment Description, Additional Information Provided By the Selecting Official, and the Qualification Requirements; and then construct their resumes to highlight their most relevant and significant experience and education for this job opportunity. This description should include examples that detail the level and complexity of the performed work. Applicants are encouraged to provide any education information referenced in the announcement. If education is listed as a mandatory requirement, only degrees obtained from an institution accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary, US Department of Education will be accepted. In accordance with section 9902(h) of title 5, United States Code, annuitants reemployed in the Department of Defense shall receive full annuity and salary upon appointment. They shall not be eligible for retirement contributions, participation in the Thrift Savings Plan, or a supplemental or redetermined annuity for the reemployment period. Discontinued service retirement annuitants (i.e., retired under section 8336(d)(1) or 8414(b)(1)(A) of title 5, United States Code) appointed to the Department of Defense may elect to be subject to retirement provisions of the new appointment as appropriate. (See DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 300, at All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation. NGA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applications will only be accepted online. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us at ...@nga.mil. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.Conditions of EmploymentAs a condition of employment at NGA, persons being considered for employment must meet NGA fitness for employment standards. - U.S. Citizenship Required - Security Clearance (Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information) - Polygraph Test Required - Position Subject to Drug Testing - Two Year Probationary Period - Direct Deposit RequiredDCIPS DisclaimerNGA utilizes all processes and procedures of the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). Non-executive NGA employees are assigned to five distinct pay bands based on the type and scope of work performed. The employee's base salary is established within their assigned pay band based on their unique qualifications. A performance pay process is conducted each year to determine a potential base pay salary increase and/or bonus. An employee's annual performance evaluation is a key factor in the performance pay process. Employees on term or temporary appointments are not eligible to apply for internal assignment opportunity notices. This position is a DCIPS position in the Excepted Service under 10 U.S.C. 1601. DoD Components with DCIPS positions apply Veterans' Preference to preference eligible candidates as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 USC, in accordance with the procedures provided in DoD Instruction 1400.25, Volume 2005, DCIPS Employment and Placement. If you are an external applicant claiming veterans' preference, as defined by Section 2108 of Title 5 U.S.C., you must self-identify your eligibility in your application. Associated topics: c, c++, c c++, electrical engineering, java, matlab, processor, radar, software, software engineer

Keywords: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), Silver Spring , R&D Scientist (Silver Spring,MD), Other , Silver Spring, Maryland