Remote Precision Agriculture Specialist

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; Hybrid; ZAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Remote-friendly

Home office stipend

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development

Software access

Retirement plan

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Precision Agriculture Specialist to join a fully remote team. You will analyze geospatial data, satellite imagery, and sensor data to deliver actionable insights to growers.

The role requires a strong background in GIS, remote sensing, and agronomy, with experience in ArcGIS/QGIS and Python/R. You will train clients, support field teams, and help advance data-driven farming worldwide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in a quantitative field related to precision agriculture.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in precision agriculture, GIS, remote sensing, or agricultural data analysis.
• Proficiency with GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS) and data analysis tools (R, Python, MATLAB).
• Experience with agricultural sensor technologies, drone data processing, and farm management software.
• Strong understanding of agronomic principles and crop physiology.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and data visualization skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a remote environment.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for effective virtual collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Analyze geospatial data, satellite imagery, and sensor data to identify patterns and trends in crop health, soil conditions, and yield potential.
• Develop and implement variable rate application maps for fertilizers, seeds, and crop protection products.
• Utilize GIS software to create detailed farm maps, delineate management zones, and support strategic planning.
• Interpret data from automated weather stations and soil moisture sensors to optimize irrigation scheduling.
• Manage and maintain farm data platforms, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
• Provide technical support and training to clients and internal teams on precision agriculture technologies and data utilization.
• Research and evaluate new technologies in drone technology, IoT, AI, and machine learning for agricultural applications.
• Develop custom reports and visualizations to communicate complex data findings effectively.
• Collaborate with agronomists and farm managers to translate data insights into practical, on-farm recommendations.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of precision agriculture strategies and methodologies.

Skills

Data analytics

GIS

Remote sensing

Agronomic principles

Data visualization

Communication

Independent work

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Precision Agriculture/Geospatial

Master's degree in a related quantitative field

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

R

Python

MATLAB

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an innovative and technically proficient Precision Agriculture Specialist to join their team in a fully remote capacity. This role is central to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance agricultural efficiency, sustainability, and profitability. You will be responsible for analyzing data from various sources, including satellite imagery, drone surveys, sensor networks, and farm management software, to provide actionable insights and recommendations to growers. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in data analytics, GIS, remote sensing, and a solid understanding of agronomic principles. As a remote-first employee, you will collaborate extensively with field teams and clients through virtual channels, requiring excellent communication and problem-solving skills. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of agriculture from anywhere, contributing to data-driven decision-making for farms across different regions.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze geospatial data, satellite imagery, and sensor data to identify patterns and trends in crop health, soil conditions, and yield potential.
• Develop and implement variable rate application maps for fertilizers, seeds, and crop protection products.
• Utilize GIS software to create detailed farm maps, delineate management zones, and support strategic planning.
• Interpret data from automated weather stations and soil moisture sensors to optimize irrigation scheduling.
• Manage and maintain farm data platforms, ensuring data integrity and accessibility.
• Provide technical support and training to clients and internal teams on precision agriculture technologies and data utilization.
• Research and evaluate new technologies in drone technology, IoT, AI, and machine learning for agricultural applications.
• Develop custom reports and visualizations to communicate complex data findings effectively.
• Collaborate with agronomists and farm managers to translate data insights into practical, on-farm recommendations.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of precision agriculture strategies and methodologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Precision Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Geomatics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in precision agriculture, GIS, remote sensing, or agricultural data analysis.
• Proficiency with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) and data analysis tools (e.g., R, Python, MATLAB).
• Experience with agricultural sensor technologies, drone data processing, and farm management software.
• Strong understanding of agronomic principles and crop physiology.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and data visualization skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a remote environment.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for effective virtual collaboration.
• Experience in client training and technical support is a plus.
• Self-motivated with a passion for applying technology to agriculture.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Flexible remote work schedule.
• Contribution towards home office setup and internet expenses.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Opportunities for continuous learning and professional development in cutting-edge technologies.
• Access to leading software and hardware resources.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Collaborative and innovative work culture.