Subject Matter Expert - Remote Sensing/Nuclear Detection Activity

Subject Matter Expert - Remote Sensing & Nuclear Activity Detection

Position Summary

RSI seeks a highly experienced Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Remote Sensing and Nuclear Activity Detection located in Washington, DC. to support program reviews and conferences on mission-critical efforts to prevent, detect, and deter nuclear proliferation worldwide. This SME will lead assigned technical analysis, program and conference reviews, and operational advisement for detecting nuclear-related activities from stand-off ranges greater than 100 meters from a facility, including airborne, orbital, deep-space, and planetary-based sensing platforms. The role requires technical expertise in nuclear signatures-radiological, spectral, thermal, seismic, neutron, gamma, and other modalities-and the integration of remote systems capable of identifying, characterizing, and assessing nuclear-related operations

Primary Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Analysis

• Serve as the primary technical authority/SME on remote detection of nuclear materials, activities, and facilities, including from airborne, satellite, and extraterrestrial platforms.
• Understand the technology behind analyzing nuclear, radiological, and associated signatures detectable at long ranges, including optical, infrared, multispectral/hyperspectral, RF, gamma/neutron, and charged-particle detection pathways.
• Understand and interpret models for nuclear activity indicators such as:
• Uranium enrichment operations
• Reprocessing signatures
• Reactor operations
• Radiological source movement
• Nuclear testing or subcritical experiments
• Participate in assigned Program Reviews and Conferences pertinent to your Area of expertise regarding remote sensing.

Systems Development & Integration

• Provide technical guidance for advanced sensor systems, including:
  • Satellite payloads
  • High-altitude platforms (balloons, UAVs)
  • Ground-based long-range detection arrays
  • Deep-space or planetary remote-sensing systems
• Evaluate emerging technologies (AI/ML-based detection, quantum sensors, advanced spectroscopy, wide-area persistent surveillance).
• Support R&D programs across government, laboratory, academic, and industry partners.

Operational & Strategic Mission Support

• Produce intelligence-quality assessments on foreign nuclear programs using remote sensing data as assigned
• Advise leadership on the threat environment, system vulnerabilities, and technology gaps.
• Support the development of national strategies and policies for nuclear non-proliferation monitoring and verification.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate with interagency partners, national laboratories, the intelligence community, defense agencies, internal program office team members and international entities, as assigned.
• Present complex technical findings to diverse audiences, including senior government officials.
• Develop technical briefings, white papers, risk assessments, and program review reports.

Required Education and Experience

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D. preferred) in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, Remote Sensing, Radiological Science, Space Systems Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum 20+ years of specialized experience in nuclear detection, remote sensing, or non-proliferation missions.
• Deep understanding of nuclear signatures and relevant sensing modalities (e.g., gamma/neutron detection, hyperspectral imaging, thermal infrared analysis, RF anomaly detection).
• Understanding of satellite or airborne sensing systems, or high-altitude/space-based detection platforms.
• Strong modeling, analysis, and technical writing skills.
• Must have an active Q/Top Secret/SCI security clearance (or equivalent agency requirement).

Desired Qualifications

• The aptitude to assist the program team on any task assigned from hanging posters at program reviews and conferences to taking meeting minutes in assigned mission critical meetings as well as performing your SME work scope on complex-wide program proposals reviews and assessments. This is a deal breaker, if the new team member is not willing to step outside the box and help the other team members accomplish NNSA Program Missions.
• Experience working with DOE/NNSA, DoD, NASA, or the Intelligence Community.
• Familiarity with nuclear fuel cycle processes, facility operations, and proliferation pathways.
• Hands-on experience with:
• Synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
• Hyperspectral/multispectral payloads
• Radiation detection instrumentation
• AI/ML anomaly detection for overhead imagery or sensor data
• Knowledge of orbital mechanics, space mission design, or planetary remote sensing.

Clearance and Health Regiments

• Criminal Background Check
• Pre-placement Drug Screening

This position requires a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card; or a U.S. passport as long as it clearly displays issuance date, expiration date, and color photo image. This is a mandatory requirement necessary for access to company facilities and/or for travel purposes. REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses are identifiable by a gold star in the upper right corner.