Lead Imagery Analyst (Data Annotation) - Top Secret

Please review the job details below.
Maxar is seeking a detail-oriented Imagery Analyst (Data Annotation Lead) to guide and improve annotation workflows across EO, SAR, and commercial imagery. You'll lead quality validation efforts, mentor junior team members, and drive continuous improvement in annotation standards to support mission-critical AI/ML development.
Location: Candidates must be locally based with the DC metro region with a willingness to work in Herndon, VA; Falls Church, VA; and/or Springfield, VA.
What You'll Do

• Lead quality assurance reviews of annotated geospatial imagery
• Train and mentor junior annotators on best practices
• Identify systemic annotation issues and drive corrective actions
• Validate annotation accuracy across multiple formats (bounding boxes, segmentation, center points)
• Collaborate with engineering, product, and machine learning partner teams to align data output with downstream model needs
• Recommend and implement improvements to annotation tools and processes
• Write and maintain annotation guidelines and quality control documentation

Minimum Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship and active Top Secret clearance
• 3-5 years of experience with EO/SAR imagery analysis or geospatial data annotation
• Proficiency in geospatial software tools (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)
• Demonstrated leadership in data validation or quality assurance processes
• Experience with object classification, visual QA, and annotation feedback cycles

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting government or defense missions
• Familiarity with automated quality metrics or annotation pipelines
• Experience with SAR-specific feature analysis
• Basic scripting or automation (e.g., Python, Jupyter) is a plus
• Prior experience writing SOPs or developing team workflows

In support of pay transparency at Maxar, we disclose salary ranges on all U.S. job postings. The successful candidate's starting pay will fall within the salary range provided below and is determined based on job-related factors, including, but not limited to, the experience, qualifications, knowledge, skills, geographic work location, and market conditions. Candidates with the minimum necessary experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skillsets for the position should not expect to receive the upper end of the pay range.
• The base pay for this position within the Washington, DC metropolitan area is: $96,000.00 - $160,000.00 annually.
For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees. You can find more information on our benefits at: https://www.maxar.com/careers/benefits
The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire.
The date of posting can be found on Maxar's Career page at the top of each job posting.
To apply, submit your application via Maxar's Career page.
Maxar Technologies values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.