Senior Software Engineer - Earth Observation Services

VITO; Mol; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Training programs

Competitive salary and benefits

Job summary

A leading environmental research organization in Belgium seeks a Senior Software Engineer to enhance operational Earth Observation services. Responsibilities include developing efficient data processing workflows, translating prototypes into production-grade components, and implementing microservices in Python. Candidates must have a Master’s degree and 5+ years of experience in software engineering, preferably in an Agile environment. The role offers a flexible work environment, combining onsite presence with remote options and a competitive salary package.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of professional experience.
• Proven experience in professional software engineering within an Agile environment.
• Experience in cloud-native deployments is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop efficient services and data processing workflows for EO products.
• Translate prototypes into production-grade components.
• Implement microservices that integrate with processing platforms.

Skills

Python proficiency

Object-oriented programming

Agile software engineering

CI/CD and testing frameworks

DevOps experience

AI-assisted development tools

Cloud-native deployments

Large-scale data processing

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Apache Spark

Job description

The Environmental Intelligence unit at VITO processes petabytes of Earth Observation (EO) data. We specialize in extracting reliable, actionable information from vast amounts of satellite imagery for customers worldwide.

Within this unit, the Copernicus Services team designs, builds and operates end-to-end EO processing chains for vegetation, land cover and agriculture monitoring. We deliver robust, 24/7 operational services to European and international partners such as ECMWF, EEA, ESA, EUMETSAT, FAO and JRC.

To strengthen our development capacity, we are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Senior Software Engineer.

Your Role at VITO

As a Senior Software Engineer, you will play a key role in the evolution of our operational EO services. You will participate in:

• Evolving and hardening our operational EO processing systems
• Modernising our stack with cloud‑native, scalable architectures
• Leveraging AI‑assisted development tools to increase quality, velocity and maintainability

You will work in an agile team of solution architects, developers, EO scientists and operations engineers, helping bridge R&D prototypes into stable, maintainable operational services. You’ll join a talented, dedicated team working in a fast‑paced international environment, developing added value products on cutting edge technologies that support public authorities, industry, research and society at large.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop efficient services, algorithms and data processing workflows for EO satellite products
• Translate prototypes and proof‑of‑concepts into robust, production‑grade components
• Deliver clean, maintainable and well‑documented code, primarily in Python
• Implement microservices and APIs that integrate seamlessly with our processing platforms
• Take shared responsibility for operational services, including incident analysis, performance optimisation and reliability improvements
• Use AI‑assisted coding tools to improve efficiency and code quality
• Ensure solid automated test coverage (unit, integration, regression tests)
• Collaborate closely with architects, product owners and EO experts to refine requirements and define technical designs
• Provide 3rd‑line support for customer issues and service anomalies
• Contribute to team‑wide decisions on architecture, tools, coding standards and best practices

Job requirements:

• Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related field with at least 5 years of professional experience.
• Strong proficiency in Python and object‑oriented programming.
• Proven experience in professional software engineering within an Agile environment
• Experience working in DevOps‑oriented environments (infrastructure, monitoring, automation)
• Experience with CI/CD and testing frameworks
• Experience with AI‑assisted development tools
• Experience in cloud‑native deployments (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes, cloud providers) is a plus
• Experience with large‑scale data processing (e.g. Apache Spark) is a plus
• Affinity with Earth Observation, geospatial data or scientific data processing is a plus
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a mindset of continuous learning in both software engineering and EO domains
• Ability to work independently toward clear outcomes, both individually and as part of a team.

Offer

• We operate in an activity‑based way, meaning your work activities guide where you work. Our headquarters is located in Mol, and we anticipate an average onsite presence of about 50%. We also support flexibility: part‑time remote work or working from one of our satellite offices in Antwerp‑Berchem, Genk, Ghent, Leuven, Kortrijk or Ostend is possible.
• A competitive salary with a range of benefits, including allowances, insurance, and a modular package of holidays.
• Innovation is our asset, so it goes without saying that we give our employees the opportunity to take additional training courses and stay up‑to‑date in their field. You will always have the opportunity to broaden your knowledge and discover new technologies.
• You will have the opportunity to be part of an organization with an international reputation, known for its cutting‑edge technological research and scientific consultancy.
• With us, you will contribute directly to sustainable developments at local, national and global level through your innovative applications. You provide answers to contemporary societal challenges.
• Moreover, we highly value a good work‑life balance at VITO! This is achieved by adopting a flexible attitude depending on your specific needs.