Precision Agriculture Specialist - Remote Sensing & GIS

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 520,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Flexible hours

Medical insurance

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Precision Agriculture Specialist to leverage remote sensing, GIS, and drone data for optimizing farm management across South Africa. This remote role focuses on imagery analysis, spatial modeling, and delivering actionable insights for farmers and agronomists.

Ideal candidates hold 4+ years in GIS/RS, with ArcGIS/QGIS and ENVI/ERDAS Imagine experience, plus Python scripting. Flexible remote arrangement and ongoing professional development are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Geomatics, GIS, Remote Sensing, Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy or related field.
• Minimum of 4 years in GIS and/or remote sensing, preferably in agriculture.
• Proficient in ArcGIS/QGIS and ENVI/ERDAS Imagine; strong image processing skills.
• Experience with Python for automating geospatial workflows is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Acquire, process, and analyze satellite imagery and drone data for farm applications.
• Develop and maintain GIS databases and spatial models for agriculture.
• Create maps/reports showing crop health, soil variability, and yield potential.
• Apply remote sensing for crop monitoring and land use analysis.
• Develop variable rate application maps for inputs and collaborate with farmers for insights.
• Stay updated on GIS/RS tech and contribute to new analytical tools and workflows.
• Provide technical support and training on precision agriculture data to clients.

Skills

Geospatial analysis

Remote sensing

GIS software

Python scripting

Data visualization

Independent work

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Geomatics, GIS, Remote Sensing, Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

ENVI

ERDAS Imagine

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a cutting-edge agricultural technology company seeking a highly skilled Precision Agriculture Specialist to join their growing team. This role is entirely remote, allowing you to contribute your expertise in remote sensing and GIS from anywhere in South Africa. You will be instrumental in leveraging advanced spatial technologies to provide actionable insights for optimizing farm management, improving crop yields, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Your work will involve analyzing satellite imagery, drone data, and other geospatial information to help farmers make more informed decisions. This is an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of agricultural innovation and make a significant impact on modern farming.

Key Responsibilities

• Acquire, process, and analyze satellite imagery, aerial photography, and drone data for agricultural applications.
• Develop and maintain Geographic Information Systems (GIS) databases and spatial models relevant to agriculture.
• Create detailed maps and reports visualizing crop health, soil variability, and yield potential.
• Apply remote sensing techniques for crop monitoring, stress detection, and land use analysis.
• Utilize GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) to support precision farming initiatives.
• Develop variable rate application maps for fertilizers, pesticides, and seeding.
• Collaborate with agronomists and farmers to interpret data and provide practical recommendations.
• Stay updated on the latest advancements in remote sensing, GIS, and precision agriculture technologies.
• Contribute to the development of new analytical tools and workflows.
• Provide technical support and training to clients on the use of precision agriculture data.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Geomatics, GIS, Remote Sensing, Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy, or a related field.
• Minimum of 4 years of professional experience in GIS and/or remote sensing applications, preferably in the agricultural sector.
• Proficiency in GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) and remote sensing software (e.g., ENVI, ERDAS Imagine).
• Experience with image processing, spatial analysis, and data visualization techniques.
• Familiarity with agricultural data formats and precision farming concepts.
• Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python) for automating geospatial workflows is a significant advantage.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage projects effectively in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Excellent annual salary of Rands .
• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance.
• Fully remote work arrangement with flexible hours.
• Opportunities for professional development, including certifications and training.
• Access to cutting-edge technology and software.
• Contribute to sustainable and innovative agricultural practices.
• A collaborative and forward-thinking team environment.