G

GRVTY

RF signature collection for defense

Image Scientist Senior - PIR

Full-Time
$170k - $190k
Senior, Expert
Bachelor's
Charlottesville, VA, USA
In Person
Data & AnalyticsData Analysis
No H1B Sponsorship
US Top Secret Clearance Required

About the job

Requirements
  • Active Top Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance.
  • At least 8 years of directly relevant experience; consideration is given to the depth, relevance, and impact of the candidate's work.
  • Deep knowledge of Persistent Infrared collections, tasking, operations, data production, exploitation, Phase 1–3 analysis, technical intelligence, or capability-development activities.
  • Experience leading collection campaigns, research and development programs, or complex technical analyses.
  • Experience leading intelligence-production efforts, test events, or cross-organizational working groups.
  • Ability to identify intelligence or capability gaps and convert them into executable technical plans and collection strategies, research efforts, and analytical products.
  • Experience reviewing and defending analytical conclusions, resolving conflicting technical interpretations, and communicating uncertainty and confidence to decision-makers.
  • Ability to develop personnel, mentor junior analysts or scientists, and improve team tradecraft.
  • Ability to represent the company professionally in customer engagements and contribute to technical strategy, program shaping, and proposal development.
Responsibilities
  • Support the development, refinement, and validation of Persistent Infrared collection requirements, including intelligence needs and observables, essential elements of information, and collection success criteria.
  • Plan and support routine, operational, and research and development Persistent Infrared collections, including collection feasibility assessments, tasking coordination, coverage analysis, test-event planning, and post-collection evaluation.
  • Apply knowledge of the Persistent Infrared mission enterprise across collection requirements and tasking, sensor operations and ground processing, data production, exploitation and dissemination, and downstream analytical use.
  • Perform or support Phase 1–3 exploitation and analysis in accordance with applicable customer workflows, tradecraft standards, and reporting requirements.
  • Conduct quantitative analysis of laboratory, field, test-range, and operationally collected data, including radiometric, spectral, temporal, spatial, and phenomenological analysis.
  • Develop repeatable workflows for data conditioning, calibration, quality control, exploratory analysis and visualization, uncertainty characterization, and technical reporting.
  • Compare laboratory or modeled signatures with field and overhead observations, accounting for sensor response, geometry, atmospheric effects, background conditions, operational variability, and collection limitations.
  • Develop and evaluate algorithms, analytical tools, models, scripts, databases, and data-processing pipelines that improve collection planning, exploitation, signature analysis, and intelligence production.
  • Produce defensible technical assessments, briefings, and data products for technical and senior decision-maker audiences, including collection recommendations, requests for information, and finished and foundational scientific and technical intelligence products.
  • Identify collection gaps, analytical uncertainties, anomalous observations, and opportunities for follow-on collection or experimentation.
  • Work directly with government customers, operators, collectors, engineers, laboratory personnel, test organizations, analysts, and other mission partners.
  • Support the transition of research and development capabilities into operational environments through test design, verification and validation, documentation, user feedback, and performance assessment.
  • Apply multi-intelligence approaches where appropriate, including integration or correlation of Persistent Infrared with moving target indicator data, imagery, radar, telemetry, geospatial data, all-source intelligence, and other relevant data.
  • Support continental United States and outside continental United States test-range activities, including pre-deployment planning, instrumentation coordination, data collection, field troubleshooting, documentation, and post-test analysis.
  • Contribute to internal technical reviews, mentor other employees, and independently plan and complete assigned work.
Desired Qualifications
  • Strong background in radiometry, including radiometric calibration, detector response, signal-to-noise characterization, dynamic range, uncertainty propagation, instrument drift, nonuniformity, background subtraction, and cross-sensor comparison.
  • Experience with infrared phenomenology and analysis across relevant spectral regions.
  • Experience analyzing multispectral or hyperspectral imagery and data, including spectral feature extraction, endmember or material characterization, dimensionality reduction, target-background separability, spectral libraries, and atmospheric effects.
  • Experience with electro-optical/infrared imaging systems, non-imaging radiometers, spectrometers, thermal imagers, focal-plane arrays, laboratory sources, calibration targets, or related instrumentation.
  • Strong background in temporal analysis of laboratory or field-collected data, including synchronization, time-series conditioning, event segmentation, trend and change detection, anomaly analysis, transient characterization, and multi-instrument correlation.
  • Experience building or maintaining reproducible data-processing and analysis pipelines, including automated quality checks, metadata handling, version control, configuration management, and traceable analytical outputs.
  • Familiarity with statistical inference, detection theory, signal processing, image processing, time-series analysis, machine learning, pattern recognition, modeling and simulation, or data fusion.
  • Experience working with Persistent Infrared data products, ground-processing environments, collection-management workflows, or operational exploitation tools.
  • Experience supporting military or government laboratories, acquisition organizations, test and evaluation organizations, operational units, combatant commands, service intelligence centers, or national Intelligence Community elements.
  • Experience planning or executing collections at United States or outside continental United States test ranges, including range coordination, collection plans, instrumentation, logistics, field operations, data custody, after-action reporting, and post-test analysis.
  • Experience operating in multidisciplinary teams composed of scientists, engineers, operators, collection managers, intelligence analysts, software developers, and program personnel.
  • Graduate education, published technical work, relevant military training, formal intelligence-analysis training, collection-management training, or recognized subject-matter expertise in a relevant mission area.

About the company

G

GRVTY

View
Website

GRVTY develops tools for national security by collecting real-time RF signatures and delivering situational awareness for defense operations. Its flagship product, SPEAR (Special Purpose Environmental Activity Recorder), is a compact, cost‑effective device that can be quickly deployed to gather radio-frequency signals in both land and maritime environments. The data from SPEAR feeds into comprehensive data platforms that turn raw RF signals into actionable insights for asset management and command decisions. Compared with other defense vendors, GRVTY emphasizes rapid field deployment, portability, and a tight integration between hardware for RF data collection and software platforms for analysis, enabling users to maintain a strategic edge in volatile, globally influenced threats. The company aims to help defense clients monitor, understand, and respond to evolving risks by providing reliable RF intelligence and platforms that support real-time decision making.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

McLean, Virginia

Founded

2024

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • February 17, 2026 Tysons headquarters adds 22,000 square feet and 200 planned hires.
  • September 1, 2026 Fortune named GRVTY a Top Workplace, helping recruiting in Fairfax County.
  • GRVTY reported more than $100 million revenue and nearly 1,000 employees in February 2026.

What critics are saying

  • March 4, 2026 Navy OTA concentrates execution risk; one failure damages future awards fast.
  • Rapid hiring after February 2026 headquarters expansion strains culture, controls, and cleared-talent retention.
  • Palantir, Anduril, and BlueHalo crowd GRVTY's missions; a weak 2026 pipeline kills independence.

What makes GRVTY unique

  • GRVTY combines cyber, space, spectrum, and maritime missions under one 2026 platform.
  • March 4, 2026 Navy OTA rewards GRVTY for rapid C5ISR prototypes, not slow primes.
  • Katie Selbe recruited CIA, Parsons, and BlueHalo veterans, including Pete Ranks and Steve Finney.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Parental Leave
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Professional Development Budget

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

36%

1 year growth

23%

2 year growth

20%
GovCon Wire
Sep 2nd, 2026
Former Parsons executive steve Finney named GRVTY chief growth officer.

Former Parsons executive steve Finney named GRVTY chief growth officer. * Stephen Finney will help GRVTY scale its defense and intelligence capabilities as chief growth officer * Finney will bring more than 25 years of experience driving growth across national security missions * He previously held senior leadership roles at Parsons and Booz Allen Hamilton Former Parsons executive Stephen Finney has joined GRVTY as chief growth officer. His appointment aligns with efforts to scale capabilities for defense and intelligence customers, the national security company said Tuesday. Who is Stephen Finney? Finney has spent over 25 years building and leading defense and intelligence businesses, with a history of driving growth on complex national security missions. Before joining GRVTY, Finney spent more than eight years at Parsons, most recently as senior vice president of defense and intelligence, a role in which he directed business development for the company's defense and intelligence portfolio. The executive also served as SVP of corporate capture at Polaris Alpha and VP of strategic initiatives at EOIR Technologies. He spent 12 years at Booz Allen Hamilton as a senior associate and began his career as a software developer at Freddie Mac and as a software engineer at IBM. What will Finney do at GRVTY? Finney will lead the company's enterprise-wide growth strategy, working to connect customer missions, technology and investment throughout the business. He will help guide GRVTY as it builds momentum and expands its differentiated capabilities in the defense and intelligence communities. Commenting on Finney's appointment, GRVTY CEO Katie Selbe said, "Steve brings the combination of market leadership, strategic thinking, and disciplined execution that will be critical as GRVTY enters its next phase of growth. He understands how to connect customer needs, technology, and investment to enable scalable growth across the national security market." Finney joins GRVTY as the company continues to build out its leadership team. In July, the company named Mark McNeely chief administrative officer, adding oversight of facilities, supply chain, procurement, contracts, information technology and security to its executive leadership structure. GRVTY has also added outside expertise to its leadership and advisory ranks. In August, the company appointed University of Maryland professor Vikram Manikonda to its advisory board. Manikonda brought more than 28 years of experience in research and development, defense technology and entrepreneurship to the role.

GovCon Wire
Aug 11th, 2026
UMD professor Vikram Manikonda joins GRVTY advisory board.

UMD professor Vikram Manikonda joins GRVTY advisory board. * University of Maryland professor Vikram Manikonda has been added to the advisory board of GRVTY * Manikonda has more than 28 years of experience, including founding Intelligent Automation and Cryptonite * GRVTY has been organizing its executive leadership since it was founded in 2025 by Arlington Capital Partners Defense technology company GRVTY has appointed Vikram Manikonda to its advisory board, the company announced Monday. Manikonda is expected to lend his expertise to GRVTY's efforts to grow its capabilities and speed the development of mission-driven innovation on behalf of the Department of War and the intelligence community. What experience does Vikram Manikonda bring to the role? Dr. Manikonda brings more than 28 years of experience in research and development, defense technology innovation, entrepreneurship and executive leadership to the role. He is currently Professor of the Practice in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering. In September 2025, Manikonda founded and became a managing member of FalkonEye, a free space domain awareness platform. Prior to that, he served as chief technology officer at BlueHalo. During his term, he served as chair of the company's Science and Technology Council, created its Cloud Center of Excellence and led a collaborative relationship among its defense, intelligence and space and products businesses. Manikonda spent almost 23 years at Intelligent Automation, now a BlueHalo company, where he served as president and chief executive officer. He is also co-founder, board member and investor in Cryptonite, a limited liability company focused on cybersecurity. Earlier in his career, Manikonda served as chair of the strategic advisory council for the Institute for Systems Research. He was also a research engineer at Scientific Systems, a defense and space manufacturing company that utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning-enabled capabilities. Who are the other organizational changes at GRVTY? Dr. Manikonda joins GRVTY's advisory board at a time when the company has been organizing its executive leadership. Last month, GRVTY named Mark McNeely as its chief administrative officer. In February, the company announced that it had selected a new chief strategy officer, Peter Ranks, the first assistant director of the CIA for cyber intelligence, as its new chief strategy officer.

Intelligence Community News
Jul 1st, 2026
GRVTY adds Mark McNeely as CAO.

GRVTY adds Mark McNeely as CAO. 0 Comments On June 30, GRVTY announced the appointment of Mark McNeely as chief administrative officer (CAO). In this role, McNeely will lead the company's administrative operations, including procurement, contracts, supply chain, information technology, security, and facilities, while supporting GRVTY's continued growth and strategic expansion. "Mark has spent his career helping organizations navigate periods of exponential growth while maintaining the discipline, governance, and operational excellence required to exceed expectations of our customers, employees and shareholders," said Katie Selbe, GRVTY's chief executive officer. "As GRVTY continues to expand, his experience building scalable business operations and aligning enterprise functions will help ensure we are positioned to increase our impact to national security." McNeely joins GRVTY with more than two decades of executive leadership experience across the aerospace and defense sector. Most recently, he served as chief administrative officer at BlueHalo, where he led enterprise-wide administrative operations spanning legal, contracts, procurement, supply chain, security, real estate, risk management, and trade compliance. During his tenure, he helped integrate more than twenty acquisitions, led administrative due diligence for BlueHalo's $4.1 billion acquisition by AeroVironment, and directed enterprise initiatives supporting IPO readiness, governance modernization, and operational integration. "GRVTY has built an exceptional company with a strong culture, outstanding technical talent, and an unwavering commitment to supporting our nation's most important missions," said McNeely. "What excites me most is the opportunity to help build the enterprise capabilities that enable continued growth. By strengthening our administrative operations, integrating scalable business systems, and fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration, we will be well positioned to support our customers, our employees, and our long-term strategic objectives." Keep up with your competitors by following notable executive moves across the IC contracting space - become a paid subscriber to IC News.

GovCon Wire
Feb 24th, 2026
Former CIA Cyber Intelligence Leader Peter Ranks Joins GRVTY as Chief Strategy Officer

Former CIA Cyber Intelligence leader Peter Ranks joins GRVTY as chief strategy officer. GRVTY has appointed Peter Ranks, the first assistant director of the CIA for cyber intelligence, as chief strategy officer. At the CIA, Ranks led the Center for Cyber Intelligence and supported cyber mission initiatives across the intelligence enterprise, GRVTY said Monday. In his new role, he will oversee corporate strategy and help guide expansion into additional national security mission areas. Who is Peter Ranks? Ranks spent nearly three decades at the CIA, beginning his career as a network engineer and rising to senior executive roles. He supported the agency's counterproliferation and counterterrorism missions and helped manage an early industry partnership supporting intelligence community cloud adoption. In 2020, he returned to the CIA to support the Commercial Cloud Enterprise program after serving as deputy chief information officer for information enterprise at the Department of War. At DOW, he helped advance the department's cloud strategy and software modernization initiatives while supporting enterprise-wide remote work capabilities. Katie Selbe, CEO of GRVTY, said Ranks' background at both the CIA and DOW brings a perspective that will support the company's growth. She added that "Pete's ability to anticipate and act on the nexus of strategic context, technology, and mission is second to none." How does the hire support GRVTY's growth strategy? Ranks, who holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from Clemson University, joins GRVTY during a period of expansion for the Arlington Capital Partners-backed defense technology platform. Earlier in February, GRVTY announced plans to establish a 22,000-square-foot headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, designed to house corporate leadership and serve as a hub for mission-focused innovation. The company has also formed an advisory board composed of retired senior military leaders and industry executives to guide long-term strategy. Founded in 2025, GRVTY provides automated intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting platforms, along with software and data capabilities supporting the missions of DOW, the intelligence community and the Department of Homeland Security. The company reports more than $100 million in revenue and over 325 employees. "What drew me to GRVTY is the vision and ambition of the company," said Ranks. "We're at a pivotal moment in our nation's security, and GRVTY's focus on embracing and developing the latest defense technologies, delivering field-ready mission solutions, and doing what's in the warfighter's best interest, all at speed and scale, is what fundamentally sets this company apart from all the rest," he added.

Tysons Today
Feb 20th, 2026
Defense Technology Company GRVTY to Establish New Headquarters in Fairfax County

Defense technology company GRVTY to establish new headquarters in Fairfax County. Fairfax County Economic Development Authority February 20 Talk of Tysons GRVTY, a defense technology company established in 2025, today announced it will invest $8 million to expand the firm's presence with a new headquarters in Tysons, Virginia. The company will build out more than 22,000 square feet of office space at 8270 Greensboro Drive in Tysons. "GRVTY is pleased to invest in Fairfax County with the opening of our new headquarters in Tysons," said Katie Selbe, GRVTY's chief executive officer. "This facility will serve as the company's hub to drive operational excellence, engage with customers, and advance the development of critical technologies in cyber, space, and spectrum." Through this expansion, GRVTY plans to hire 200 highly skilled engineers, technologists, scientists, and corporate staff. The company currently employs nearly 1,000 individuals. "I want to thank GRVTY for choosing to invest in Fairfax County and welcome you to your new headquarters in Tysons," said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. "Fairfax County has built a strategically aligned environment for companies operating at the intersection of national security and advanced technology. Our proximity to decision makers, world-class research institutions, and a deep, cleared talent base - combined with resilient digital and physical infrastructure - make our community a natural home for mission-driven technology companies like GRVTY." GRVTY supports customers in the defense, intelligence, homeland security community, with focus on areas including cyber, space, and spectrum. "It has been an honor to support GRVTY as you work toward accelerated growth and impact," said Fairfax County Economic Development Authority President and CEO Victor Hoskins. "The arrival of a new national security technology firm headquarters in Fairfax County strengthens the broader innovation ecosystem across Northern Virginia. It reinforces the region's role as a center for advanced capabilities, supports high-value job creation, and deepens the collaboration between industry, government, and research institutions which is essential to maintaining U.S. technological leadership." Fairfax County Economic Development Authority worked with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to secure the project for Fairfax County. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger approved an $800,000 grant from the Commonwealth's Opportunity Fund (COF) to assist Fairfax County with the project. Funding and services to support the company's employee recruitment and training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program (VJIP). "Congratulations to GRVTY on its rapid scaling - an incredible testament to the Commonwealth's world-class talent and proximity to innovators, customers, and decision-makers," said Governor Abigail Spanberger. "This project will create 200 new jobs and further strengthen Northern Virginia's leadership at the intersection of national security and advanced technology. I look forward to GRVTY's continued success here in Virginia." About Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA). FCEDA promotes Fairfax County as one of the world's top locations for business and talent, and offers site location and business development assistance, and connections with county and state government agencies, to help companies locate and expand in Fairfax County. FCEDA is headquartered in Tysons, Fairfax County's largest business district, and maintains representatives in key global business centers: Bangalore/Mumbai, Berlin, London, Los Angeles, and Seoul. For more information about FCEDA, visit www.fairfaxcountyeda.org, or follow Lwv Fairfax on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and YouTube.