Job Summary:Voyager Technologies' is seeking a
Principal Scientist, Radar and Remote Sensing to join a multidisciplinary team of machine learning engineers, software developers, and algorithm developers building geospatial analytics software, with an emphasis on exploitation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery.
This role is Voyager Technologies' EMSI's business unit (Voyager-EMSI) second-highest-level technical authority in SAR, radar signal processing, and remote sensing phenomenology, providing enterprise-level leadership across the full SAR mission and data lifecycle - from sensor architecture and collection geometry through signal formation, exploitation, and operational application. Drawing on decades of experience with airborne and space-based SAR systems, this individual serves as a trusted subject matter expert to EMSI leadership, engineering teams, customers, and government stakeholders; shapes EMSI's long-term technical direction; and supports business development through customer engagement, research, white papers, and proposals.
SAR Technical Authority- Serve as Voyager-EMSI's principal technical authority for SAR, radar signal processing, and remote sensing phenomenology across airborne, space-based, and other advanced sensor platforms.
- Evaluate sensor capabilities, collection geometries, waveforms, and other system characteristics that drive data quality and exploitation potential.
- Diagnose complex SAR data quality, calibration, image formation, and exploitation challenges beyond standard engineering approaches, and provide authoritative judgment where requirements or data are incomplete.
Technical Strategy and Innovation- Establish Voyager-EMSI's technical vision and research priorities for SAR signal processing, exploitation, and advanced analytics; identify emerging capabilities and strategic opportunities.
- Lead technical trade studies and feasibility assessments for new sensor concepts, processing techniques, and algorithms; guide integration of classical signal processing, physics-based modeling, and machine learning.
- Define credible development roadmaps and review major technical assumptions and decisions across Voyager-EMSI's SAR portfolio, keeping solutions grounded in sensor physics and data limitations.
Technical Leadership and Mentorship- Provide technical direction to multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and analysts, and mentor staff in SAR fundamentals and rigorous scientific problem-solving.
- Conduct technical reviews to ensure analyses and conclusions are scientifically sound, and establish high standards for experimentation, validation, and documentation.
- Serve as escalation point for the company's most difficult SAR technical challenges, influencing decisions across programs without requiring direct organizational authority.
Customer and Mission Engagement- Serve as a trusted technical advisor to government, defense, intelligence, commercial, and research customers, translating mission needs into technically achievable concepts.
- Communicate complex SAR concepts and tradeoffs clearly to expert and non-expert stakeholders, and represent Voyager-EMSI in customer meetings, industry events, and advisory forums.
- Build credibility through independent, rigorous assessments and identify opportunities where EMSI's SAR expertise provides unique mission value.
Business Development, Proposals, and Thought Leadership- Take a leading role in driving business development by identifying emerging customer needs, market opportunities, and technical gaps, connecting customer problems to EMSI's capabilities.
- Provide technical leadership for proposals, white papers, briefings, and internal research initiatives, including solution approaches, risks, and resource estimates.
- Author or contribute to publications, patents, and other thought-leadership materials that strengthen EMSI's reputation in SAR.
Program and Organizational Impact- Advise executive and program leadership on major technical risks, investments, and strategic decisions related to SAR.
- Support critical program reviews, independent assessments, and resolution of high-impact customer concerns.
- Preserve and expand EMSI's specialized technical knowledge as the organization grows, keeping SAR expertise visible and influential within Voyager.
This position reports to the
General Manager and is onsite in El Segundo, CA.
If your experience aligns with our basic qualifications and you are inspired by our mission, we'd like to connect. If you don't see the right role right now, Join Our Talent Community and stay connected as we continue to build what's next.
Basic Qualifications- Advanced degree in electrical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, radar science, signal processing, remote sensing, or a related field, or equivalent demonstrated expertise.
- Typically 25+ years of progressively responsible experience in radar, SAR, signal processing, remote sensing, or related mission applications.
- Nationally or internationally recognized expertise in one or more areas of SAR technology, signal processing, exploitation, or phenomenology.
- Deep understanding of SAR system operation, including sensor architecture, platform motion, waveform design, collection geometry, image formation, calibration, and observable signatures.
- Extensive experience with airborne, space-based, or other advanced radar sensor systems, and the ability to evaluate unfamiliar sensors and datasets using first-principles reasoning.
- Experience developing or guiding advanced signal-processing and exploitation algorithms, and leading technical efforts across organizational and disciplinary boundaries.
- Experience advising senior government, defense, intelligence, or commercial stakeholders, with a strong record contributing to proposals, white papers, and business-development activities.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to expert and non-expert audiences, mentor senior technical staff, operate effectively with limited direction, and obtain/maintain any required security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications- Doctorate in electrical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, radar science, remote sensing, or a related discipline.
- 30+ years of relevant experience across multiple SAR sensor types, platforms, frequency bands, and operating modes, with both raw/phase-history data and formed SAR imagery.
- Expertise in areas such as image formation, autofocus, motion compensation, calibration, interferometry, polarimetry, target detection/recognition, geolocation, or multimodal fusion.
- Experience connecting physics-based signal processing with machine learning, computer vision, or automated exploitation.
- Familiarity with government research organizations, acquisition processes, and operational user communities, and a history of shaping and winning significant R&D opportunities.
- Record of publications, patents, or recognized contributions to the field; experience as a chief scientist, technical fellow, technical director, or equivalent senior technical authority.
Compensation & BenefitsThe good faith base salary range for this role is
$230,000 - $305,000 at the time of this posting. Actual pay depends on experience, skills, and location, and reflects base salary only (excluding benefits and bonus/incentive). Voyager offers a competitive total rewards package, including:
- Unlimited Flexible Time Off (FTO)
- Participation in the company bonus program
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with a significant portion of premiums covered by the company
- Discounted gym memberships at 12,700+ locations nationwide
- 401(k) retirement plan with up to 4% company match
- Company wellness programs and additional voluntary benefits
California pay range
$230,000-$305,000 USD
