Image Processing Scientist - Radiometry

Pixxel; Germany (OH); Remote; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A space data company is looking for a Radiometric Scientist to develop algorithms for calibrating hyperspectral satellite data. The role involves ensuring data quality, applying advanced correction techniques, and collaborating with stakeholders. Ideal candidates should have a PhD or Master’s in a relevant field and 3-5 years of experience. This position offers a flexible work environment and various benefits, including health insurance and remote work options.

Benefits

Health insurance coverage

Unlimited leaves & flexible working hours

Role-based remote work

Relocation assistance

Professional Mental Wellness services

Employee Stock Options for all hires

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in radiometric calibration and processing of satellite-based hyperspectral data.
• Strong knowledge of radiometric correction techniques.
• Proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB).

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement algorithms for radiometric calibration of hyperspectral satellite data.
• Conduct rigorous quality control and quality assurance of radiometric data.
• Apply advanced radiometric correction techniques to improve data accuracy.

Skills

Radiometric calibration techniques

Data quality assurance

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Programming (Python, MATLAB)

Education

PhD or Master’s degree in Remote Sensing, Geophysics, Physics, Atmospheric Science

Tools

Optical/hyperspectral image processing tools

Job description

Overview

Role: Radiometric Scientist

Employment Type: Full Time

Educational Qualification: PhD or Master’s degree in Remote Sensing, Geophysics, Physics, Atmospheric Science, or a closely related field.

Work Experience: 3-5 yrs

Responsibilities

• Radiometric Calibration: Develop and implement algorithms for radiometric calibration of hyperspectral satellite data.
• Data Quality Assurance: Conduct rigorous quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) of radiometric data, ensuring compliance with industry standards and scientific requirements.
• Radiometric Correction: Apply advanced radiometric correction techniques (e.g., atmospheric correction, sensor calibration, and vicarious calibration) to improve data accuracy.
• Research & Innovation: Explore and contribute to novel techniques for radiometric calibration, error modeling, and data correction in the context of hyperspectral data.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the geometric team to integrate radiometric corrections with geometric processing workflows for enhanced satellite data products.
• Documentation & Reporting: Prepare comprehensive reports, technical documentation, and scientific publications to communicate research findings, methodologies, and best practices.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including mission teams, academic researchers, and industry experts, to advance radiometric research and improve data processing pipelines.

Required Qualifications

• Education: PhD or Master’s degree in Remote Sensing, Geophysics, Physics, Atmospheric Science, or a closely related field.
• Experience: At least 3-5 years of experience in radiometric calibration, atmospheric correction, and processing of satellite-based hyperspectral data.
• Technical Expertise:
• Strong knowledge of radiometric correction techniques for remote sensing data.
• Proficiency in optical / hyperspectral image processing and data correction methodologies (e.g., flat-fielding, gain/offset corrections, vicarious calibration).
• Familiarity with satellite-based hyperspectral sensor technologies and their calibration needs.
• Proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB) and tools commonly used in remote sensing data analysis.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze complex radiometric data and troubleshoot issues with calibration and correction methods.
• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills to collaborate with cross-functional teams and document research.

Desired Skills

• Experience working with large-scale satellite data sets and data processing pipelines.
• Familiarity with remote sensing data standards, such as ARD (Analysis Ready Data) and Radiometric Calibration Network (RadCalNet).
• Knowledge of machine learning techniques for data processing and anomaly detection is a plus.
• Prior experience in publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals or conferences is desirable.

Candidate Acumen

A strong desire to work in an unstructured, high-growth, fast-paced start-up environment

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage
• Unlimited leaves & flexible working hours
• Role-based remote work and work-from-home benefit
• Relocation assistance
• Professional Mental Wellness services
• Creche facility for primary caregivers (limited to India)
• Employee Stock Options for all hires

About Pixxel

Pixxel is a space data company and spacecraft manufacturer redefining Earth observation with hyperspectral imaging. The company’s first three commercial hyperspectral satellites—Fireflies—deliver imagery at 5-meter resolution and 135+ spectral bands, providing 50x richer detail than traditional Earth observation systems and unlocking insights across agriculture, climate, energy, environment, and more.

Once fully deployed, Pixxel’s constellation of 18-24 satellites will capture imagery across up to 250 bands in VNIR and SWIR ranges, with a 40 km swath and daily global revisit capability. Pixxel’s most unique strength is its full-stack approach, integrating every layer of the value chain from satellite hardware and manufacturing to AI-powered analytics.

Pixxel’s satellite constellation is complemented by Aurora, its in-house Earth Observation Studio that simplifies satellite imagery analysis and democratises remote sensing for all. Designed to make hyperspectral data more accessible, Aurora by Pixxel combines high-frequency imagery with AI-powered tools to generate actionable insights, even for users without technical backgrounds. The third pillar of Pixxel’s ecosystem is its in-house satellite manufacturing capability. Beyond building its own spacecraft, Pixxel also provides satellite systems and subsystems to other organisations. This dual capacity sets it apart in a sector where most companies focus on either payload design or data operations, but not both.

Pixxel’s team is young but deeply mission-aligned, with a culture rooted in curiosity, speed, and long-term thinking. As the company grows its constellation and expands Aurora, the focus remains on making space-based insights practical, scalable, and genuinely helpful so that the health of the planet becomes measurable and action becomes possible.

Pixxel was the only Indian startup selected for the Techstars Starburst Space Accelerator in Los Angeles and has been recognised in TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023, Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and Via Satellite’s Top Innovators list.

For more information, see our Careers page or follow Pixxel on LinkedIn and X/Twitter.

Culture

Pixxel is an organization where we enable our employees to work on world-changing problems that they are passionate about, and a place where they can be their best selves day in and day out while ensuring they have fun every day. Central to our employee-first ethos is a commitment to ensuring that every team member feels valued and heard. We nurture a healthy and supportive work environment where we prioritise well-being and growth in all aspects of life.