Lead Precision Agriculture Specialist - Remote

Placements24; Centurion; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Health benefits

Remote work

Home office setup

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Precision Agriculture Specialist to work remotely, connecting with clients globally from a base in Centurion, Gauteng. You will guide strategies using data, sensors, GPS, and imaging to boost efficiency and sustainability in farming.

Lead program design, analyze multi-source data, and develop actionable recommendations. Build ROI reports and mentor junior teammates in a fully remote setting.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in agricultural science or data analytics.
• Experience translating complex data into actionable farming recommendations.
• Proven ability to lead remote teams and projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and management of precision agriculture programs for diverse farms.
• Analyze sensor data, drones, imagery to identify optimization opportunities.
• Create variable rate maps for fertilizers, pesticides and seeds.
• Advise clients on equipment and software selection and use.
• Provide remote technical support and training to farmers.
• Stay updated on IoT, AI, ML, and remote sensing in agri.”
• Collaborate with software/hardware teams to improve tools and solutions.
• Develop guidelines and protocols for deployment.
• Conduct remote field assessments and performance evaluations.
• Prepare reports on ROI and impact of strategies.

Skills

Data analysis

GIS

GPS

Remote sensing

Python or R

Communication

Project leadership

Education

Master's or PhD in Agricultural Engineering

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

Climate FieldView

Ag Leader

Job description

About the Role

Join our client, a forward-thinking agricultural technology company, as a Lead Precision Agriculture Specialist . This role is entirely remote, offering you the flexibility to work from anywhere while making a significant impact on modern farming practices. You will be at the forefront of leveraging data and technology to optimize agricultural outputs, enhance sustainability, and improve farm profitability. As the lead specialist, you will guide the development and implementation of precision agriculture strategies, working closely with farmers, agronomists, and technical teams. Your expertise in data analysis, sensor technology, GPS, and other advanced farming tools will be crucial. This position requires a blend of technical acumen, strategic thinking, and excellent communication skills to effectively translate complex data into actionable insights for our diverse client base. Our client is committed to fostering a remote-first culture, providing robust support systems and collaborative platforms to ensure success regardless of physical location. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of agriculture from a virtual standpoint, contributing to smarter, more efficient, and environmentally conscious farming operations, ideally based remotely but with connections to Centurion, Gauteng, ZA .

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and management of precision agriculture programs for diverse farm operations.


• Analyze vast datasets from sensors, drones, satellite imagery, and farm machinery to identify trends and opportunities for optimization.


• Develop customized variable rate application maps for fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds.


• Advise clients on the selection, calibration, and effective use of precision agriculture equipment and software.


• Provide remote technical support and training to farmers on adopting and utilizing precision farming technologies.


• Stay current with advancements in IoT, AI, machine learning, and remote sensing as applied to agriculture.


• Collaborate with software developers and hardware engineers to improve existing tools and develop new solutions.


• Develop best practice guidelines and operational protocols for precision agriculture deployment.


• Conduct remote field assessments and performance evaluations of implemented technologies.


• Prepare detailed reports and presentations on the impact and ROI of precision agriculture strategies for clients and internal stakeholders.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering, Precision Agriculture, Data Science, or a related field.


• Minimum of 8 years of experience in precision agriculture, agricultural data management, or a closely related role.


• Demonstrated expertise in GIS, GPS, remote sensing, and various agricultural data analysis software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, Ag Leader, Climate FieldView).


• Strong understanding of crop physiology, soil science, and agronomic principles.


• Proven ability to interpret complex data and translate it into practical, actionable recommendations.


• Excellent communication, presentation, and client relationship management skills.


• Experience in leading projects and mentoring junior team members.


• Proficiency in programming languages like Python or R for data analysis is a plus.


• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and deliver results in a fully remote setting.


• A passion for leveraging technology to drive innovation and sustainability in agriculture.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package and potential for stock options.


• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.


• Flexible working hours and a fully remote work environment.


• Professional development opportunities, including advanced training and conference attendance.


• Access to state-of-the-art technology and research resources.


• Opportunity to work with a global team of experts and shape the future of farming.


• Home office setup allowance.


• Retirement savings plan contribution.