Remote Remote Sensing Specialist - Agriculture

Placements24; Queenstown; Hybrid; NZD 107,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

International collaboration

Advanced training

Performance bonuses

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Remote Sensing Specialist to join a fully remote team focused on agricultural technology. You will acquire, process, and analyze multi-spectral and thermal data to support crop health, environmental monitoring, and sustainable land management for agricultural clients.

Ideal candidates have a strong GIS background, experience with ERDAS Imagine, ENVI, SNAP, and programming in Python or R, plus familiarity with Google Earth Engine.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Remote Sensing, Geomatics, GIS, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of professional remote sensing data analysis with agricultural applications.
• Proficiency in remote sensing software packages (ERDAS Imagine, ENVI, SNAP) and GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS).
• Strong programming skills in Python or R for image processing and data analysis.
• Experience with cloud-based geospatial platforms (Google Earth Engine, Planetary Computer) is highly desirable.
• Solid understanding of electromagnetic spectrum, image geometry, radiometric calibration, and atmospheric correction.
• Knowledge of agricultural practices, crop types, and factors affecting crop growth.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and strong written/verbal communication.
• Ability to work independently and manage projects in a remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Acquire, process, and analyze multi-spectral, hyper-spectral, and thermal remote sensing data from various platforms.
• Develop and apply algorithms for feature extraction, change detection, and classification of agricultural landscapes.
• Create vegetation indices, crop health assessments, and biomass estimations using remote sensing data.
• Generate land cover maps, soil moisture assessments, and water stress analyses for agricultural applications.
• Integrate remote sensing data with other geospatial datasets for comprehensive analysis.
• Develop and maintain processing workflows and pipelines for large-scale remote sensing data analysis.
• Collaborate with agricultural scientists and stakeholders to define project requirements and deliver actionable insights.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and visualizations to communicate findings effectively.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in remote sensing technologies, algorithms, and software.
• Contribute to the development of new remote sensing-based products and services for the agricultural sector.

Skills

Remote Sensing

GIS

Python/R

Cloud platforms

Satellite imagery

Education

Master's or PhD in Remote Sensing/Geospatial/GIS

Tools

ERDAS Imagine

ENVI

SNAP

ArcGIS

QGIS

Google Earth Engine

Microsoft Planetary Computer

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading innovator in agricultural technology, is seeking a highly skilled Remote Sensing Specialist to join their fully remote team. This role is critical for leveraging satellite and aerial imagery to provide advanced insights into crop health, environmental monitoring, and sustainable land management. As a remote-first position, you will have the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will be responsible for acquiring, processing, and analyzing remote sensing data to support agricultural clients, research projects, and internal product development. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in GIS, remote sensing principles, image processing software, and a solid understanding of agricultural applications. Your expertise will help farmers make data-driven decisions to optimize yields, reduce environmental impact, and improve resource efficiency. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the evolution of smart farming from a distance, working with a globally recognized organization committed to sustainable agriculture. You will collaborate with a diverse team of data scientists, agronomists, and software engineers.

Key Responsibilities

• Acquire, process, and analyze multi-spectral, hyper-spectral, and thermal remote sensing data from various platforms (satellite, aerial, drone).
• Develop and apply algorithms for feature extraction, change detection, and classification of agricultural landscapes.
• Create accurate vegetation indices, crop health assessments, and biomass estimations using remote sensing data.
• Generate land cover maps, soil moisture assessments, and water stress analyses for agricultural applications.
• Integrate remote sensing data with other geospatial datasets (e.g., weather, soil maps) for comprehensive analysis.
• Develop and maintain processing workflows and pipelines for large-scale remote sensing data analysis.
• Collaborate with agricultural scientists and stakeholders to define project requirements and deliver actionable insights.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and visualizations to communicate findings effectively.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in remote sensing technologies, algorithms, and software.
• Contribute to the development of new remote sensing-based products and services for the agricultural sector.

Requirements

• Master's or PhD degree in Remote Sensing, Geomatics, GIS, Environmental Science, Agricultural Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in remote sensing data analysis, with a focus on agricultural applications.
• Proficiency in remote sensing software packages (e.g., ERDAS Imagine, ENVI, SNAP) and GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS).
• Strong programming skills in Python or R for image processing and data analysis.
• Experience with cloud-based geospatial platforms (e.g., Google Earth Engine, Microsoft Planetary Computer) is highly desirable.
• Solid understanding of electromagnetic spectrum, image geometry, radiometric calibration, and atmospheric correction.
• Knowledge of agricultural practices, crop types, and factors affecting crop growth.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage projects effectively in a remote environment.

Benefits

• This fully remote position offers a highly competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid and retirement fund contributions.
• Enjoy the flexibility of working from home with potential for international collaboration.
• Our client invests heavily in employee development, offering access to advanced training, workshops, and conferences.
• You will be part of a forward-thinking company at the forefront of AgTech innovation.
• Additional benefits include potential for performance bonuses and a flexible work schedule that promotes work-life balance.
• We foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning, providing clear pathways for career advancement within the organization.