Senior Payload Data Operator

FADA; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 420,000 - 620,000; Full time

Job summary

FADA is seeking a Senior Payload Data Processing Engineer to design, develop, and operate processing chains that transform raw satellite payload data into calibrated, analysis-ready products. The role covers the full downstream processing chain, from Level-0 ingestion through Level-1 and Level-2 products.

The successful candidate will have hands‑on experience with both EO and SAR payloads and will work closely with satellite operations teams.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of experience in satellite payload data processing.
• Hands-on experience with optical EO data calibration and product generation.
• Hands-on experience processing SAR data to Level-1 products.
• Experience developing, validating, commissioning, and operating payload data processing systems.

Responsibilities

• Define EO product specifications with end users, mission engineers, and stakeholders.
• Translate requirements into processing specifications, product formats, and metadata standards.
• Act as the technical interface between payload processing, satellite operations, and systems engineering teams.
• Design, develop, and maintain processing pipelines from raw data ingestion through Level-0, Level-1 and Level-2 products.
• Lead investigations into data chain anomalies and drive issues to resolution across payload, downlink, ingestion, and processing stages.

Skills

Satellite payload processing

EO data processing

SAR data processing

Payload data systems

Anomaly investigation

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in EE/Remote Sensing

Tools

GeoTIFF

STAC

OGC services

Job description

External Job Description

FADA is seeking a Senior Payload Data Processing Engineer to design, develop, and operate processing chains that transform raw satellite payload data into calibrated, analysis-ready products. The role covers the full downstream processing chain, from Level-0 ingestion through Level-1 and Level-2 products.

The successful candidate will have hands‑on experience with both Electro‑Optical (EO) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payloads and will work closely with satellite operations teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Define EO product specifications with end users, mission engineers, and stakeholders to meet mission objectives.
• Translate user and mission requirements into processing specifications, product formats, and metadata standards.
• Act as the technical interface between payload processing, satellite operations, and system engineering teams.
• Design, develop, and maintain processing pipelines from raw data ingestion through Level-0, Level‑1 and Level‑2 products.
• Implement optical image processing algorithms, including registration, georeferencing, orthorectification, radiometric and atmospheric correction, cloud masking, classification, and derived products.
• Integrate workflows into scalable, automated processing systems with defined throughput and latency targets.
• Support multi‑payload and multi‑sensor operations across different platforms and data sources.
• Continuously improve processing chains through the evaluation of new algorithms, tools, and techniques.
• Contribute to payload characterization, calibration, and validation (Cal/Val) activities.
• Collaborate with satellite operations teams to improve product quality throughout the acquisition‑to‑delivery cycle.
• Lead investigations into data chain anomalies and drive issues to resolution across payload, downlink, ingestion, and processing stages.
• Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and represent FADA in engagements with suppliers, vendors, and partners.

Education & Qualifications

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Remote Sensing, Geomatics, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.

Must Have Skills

• 5-8 years of experience in satellite payload data processing, with responsibility for processing chains, algorithms, or product lines.
• Hands‑on experience processing optical EO data, including calibration, correction, and product generation.
• Hands‑on experience processing SAR data, including focusing raw data into Level‑1 image products.
• Experience developing, validating, commissioning, and operating payload data processing systems.

Desired Skills

• Strong knowledge of remote sensing principles and optical and radar image processing.
• Familiarity with geospatial data structures, coordinate systems, projections, and standards such as GeoTIFF, STAC, and OGC services.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, excellent technical communication, and the ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary operational environments

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