Computer Vision Scientist

Job Description:

Athena Sciences is seeking a highly skilled and innovative Computer Vision Scientist to develop cutting-edge biometric recognition technologies. This role is central to the research and development of AI-based algorithms for person identification, image enhancement, and forensic analysis. The ideal candidate will work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, biometrics, and secure government systems—contributing directly to critical applications in defense, law enforcement, and intelligence operations.

As a Computer Vision Scientist, you will lead the design, training, and deployment of neural network models capable of extracting meaningful patterns from complex visual data, including fingerprint, facial, iris, and video imagery. You will collaborate with software engineers, data scientists, and program managers to integrate your models into real-world applications—many of which support classified or sensitive national security use cases. The role demands rigorous scientific thinking, comfort with large-scale data, and the ability to transition research into production within an agile development environment.

You will contribute to algorithm performance benchmarking, publication-quality documentation, and field-testing of prototype systems. Candidates with strong academic credentials and a track record of applied innovation in government or defense environments are especially encouraged to apply.

Job Requirements:

• Ph.D. in Computer Vision, Biometrics, Machine Learning, or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience designing AI algorithms for pattern recognition or biometric analysis.
• Deep knowledge of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), autoencoders, transformers, and generative models.
• Proficient in PyTorch, TensorFlow, OpenCV, and related Python/C++ toolchains.
• Experience working with large biometric datasets.
• Familiarity with AWS GovCloud, DevSecOps pipelines, and containerized model deployment.
• Demonstrated ability to write high-quality technical documentation and research reports.
• Prior work with government, defense, or law enforcement agencies strongly preferred.
• Must provide three professional references including a previous supervisor.