Remote Remote Sensing Specialist - Vineyards Monitoring

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

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Professional development support

Job summary

Placements24 in Stellenbosch seeks a Remote Sensing Specialist to leverage satellite and drone imagery for vineyard health and yield prediction. You will develop algorithms and geospatial analyses to support viticulture decisions in a fully remote SA role.

Ideal candidates hold MSc/PhD in a related field, 5+ years of remote sensing experience, and strong skills in ENVI, ArcGIS, Python. You will collaborate with a viticulture team and deliver practical recommendations from data-driven insights.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Remote Sensing, Geospatial Science, Environmental Science, Agronomy, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of professional remote sensing experience, with a significant focus on agricultural applications.
• Proficient in processing and analysing satellite and drone imagery with ENVI, ERDAS Imagine, ArcGIS or QGIS.
• Experience with scripting languages (Python or R) for data automation and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Acquire and analyse multispectral and thermal satellite/drone imagery of vineyards.
• Develop vegetation indices, canopy health assessment and stress detection algorithms.
• Create maps and reports on vineyard variability, soil moisture and disease probabilities.
• Integrate remote sensing data with weather and soil datasets for comprehensive analysis.

Skills

Data analysis

Geospatial reasoning

Remote sensing expertise

Independent work

Education

MSc/PhD in Remote Sensing or Geospatial Science

Tools

ENVI

ERDAS Imagine

ArcGIS

QGIS

Python

R

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading viticulture consultancy based in the renowned wine region of Stellenbosch , Western Cape, is actively seeking a highly skilled Remote Sensing Specialist to join their dedicated team. This position is fundamentally remote, offering flexibility and the opportunity to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will play a critical role in leveraging satellite and drone imagery, coupled with advanced geospatial analysis techniques, to provide invaluable insights into vineyard health, water management, and yield prediction. This role demands a meticulous approach to data interpretation and a strong understanding of plant physiology and vineyard management principles. You will be instrumental in guiding viticulturists towards optimized decision‑making, enhancing grape quality and overall vineyard performance through cutting‑edge remote sensing applications.

Key Responsibilities

Acquire, process, and analyze multispectral, hyperspectral, and thermal satellite/drone imagery of vineyards. Develop and implement algorithms for vegetation indices, canopy health assessment, and stress detection (water, nutrient). Create detailed maps and reports on vineyard variability, soil moisture, and disease outbreak probabilities. Integrate remote sensing data with other datasets, such as weather station data and soil surveys, for comprehensive analysis. Collaborate closely with the viticulture team to translate remote sensing insights into practical management recommendations. Stay abreast of the latest advancements in remote sensing technologies and their applications in viticulture. Develop and maintain a geodatabase for vineyard monitoring projects. Present findings and recommendations to clients and internal stakeholders clearly and effectively. Ensure the quality and accuracy of all processed data and derived products.

Requirements

MSc or PhD in Remote Sensing, Geospatial Science, Environmental Science, Agronomy, or a closely related field. A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in remote sensing data analysis, with a significant portion focused on agricultural applications. Proven expertise in processing and analyzing satellite and drone imagery using software such as ENVI, ERDAS Imagine, ArcGIS, or QGIS. Strong knowledge of spectral signatures of vegetation and their application in crop monitoring. Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, R) for data automation and analysis is highly desirable. Familiarity with vineyard management practices and viticulture is a strong advantage. Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and critical thinking skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information concisely. Must be able to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a remote setting.

Benefits

This is a fully remote position, offering significant flexibility. Our client provides a competitive annual salary of R , along with a comprehensive health insurance plan. Opportunities for professional development, including attending relevant industry conferences and workshops, will be supported. You will have the chance to work with leading experts in the wine industry and contribute to innovative practices within the beautiful Stellenbosch region, all from the comfort of your chosen location. Join us in pioneering the future of vineyard management through advanced remote sensing.