Remote Sensing Specialist - Agricultural Applications

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health insurance

Retirement savings plan

Generous paid time off

Flexible work schedule

Professional development opportunities

Global impact

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a highly skilled Remote Sensing Specialist to join a globally distributed, fully remote team. You will work with satellite, aerial, and drone data to monitor crops, assess health, and predict yields, integrating with data scientists and software engineers.

The role requires a Master’s or PhD in remote sensing or related field, 5+ years of experience, and strong GIS/programming skills. A proactive, autonomous work style is essential for a remote-first culture.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Remote Sensing, Geospatial Science, Geography, Agronomy, or related field.
• 5+ years of professional remote sensing data processing and analysis experience, preferably in agriculture.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS and QGIS; experience with ERDAS Imagine and ENVI.
• Programming experience in Python or R.
• Knowledge of satellite sensors and their applications.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present complex info clearly.
• Ability to work independently in a remote work environment with reliable internet.

Responsibilities

• Acquire, process, and analyze remote sensing data (satellite, aerial, drone) for agricultural applications.
• Develop and implement vegetation indexing, crop health assessment, and change detection algorithms.
• Integrate remote sensing data with other geospatial and farm-management data sources.
• Use GIS software and remote sensing platforms for data visualization and analysis.
• Collaborate with data science team to build predictive models for yield, stress, and disease.
• Generate reports and presentations communicating findings to internal teams and clients.
• Stay updated on latest remote sensing technology and agricultural applications.
• Contribute to development of new remote sensing products and services.
• Provide technical guidance on remote sensing projects.
• Ensure data quality, accuracy, and consistency across analyses.

Skills

Geospatial analysis

Python

R

Data interpretation

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Master's degree or Ph.D. in Remote Sensing or related field

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

ERDAS Imagine

ENVI

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a cutting-edge agricultural technology company focused on leveraging data to drive sustainable farming practices. We are seeking a talented and experienced Remote Sensing Specialist to join our globally distributed team, working in a fully remote capacity. This role is central to developing and applying advanced remote sensing technologies for agricultural monitoring, crop health assessment, and yield prediction. You will work with satellite imagery, aerial photography, and drone data to extract valuable insights that support our clients in optimizing their farming operations. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking organization that is revolutionizing agriculture through data-driven solutions. You will collaborate with data scientists, agronomists, and software engineers to integrate remote sensing data into our analytical platforms. The ideal candidate is a highly motivated self-starter with a strong technical background in geospatial analysis and a passion for agricultural innovation. As a remote-first company, we emphasize communication, collaboration, and leveraging technology to overcome geographical barriers. Your contributions will directly impact how farmers around the world manage their land and resources more effectively.

Key Responsibilities

• Acquire, process, and analyze remote sensing data (satellite, aerial, drone) for agricultural applications.
• Develop and implement algorithms for vegetation indexing, crop health assessment, and change detection.
• Integrate remote sensing data with other geospatial and farm management data sources.
• Utilize GIS software and remote sensing platforms for data visualization and analysis.
• Collaborate with the data science team to develop predictive models for crop yield, stress, and disease.
• Generate reports and presentations to communicate findings and insights to internal teams and clients.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in remote sensing technology and its applications in agriculture.
• Contribute to the development of new remote sensing products and services.
• Provide technical guidance and support on remote sensing-related projects.
• Ensure data quality, accuracy, and consistency in all analyses.

Requirements

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Remote Sensing, Geospatial Science, Geography, Agronomy, or a related field with a strong focus on remote sensing applications.
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in remote sensing data processing and analysis, preferably in the agricultural sector.
• Proficiency in using GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) and remote sensing platforms (e.g., ERDAS Imagine, ENVI).
• Experience with programming languages commonly used in geospatial analysis (e.g., Python, R) is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of different satellite sensors and their applications.
• Understanding of agricultural principles and crop physiology.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage time effectively in a remote work environment.
• Access to reliable high-speed internet and a suitable home office setup.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience and the remote nature of the role.
• Benefits include a comprehensive health insurance plan, a retirement savings contribution, and generous paid time off.
• We provide a flexible work schedule and a supportive, collaborative remote work culture.
• Opportunities for professional development, including online courses and virtual conferences, are provided.
• This role offers the unique advantage of working from anywhere, contributing to a global impact in agricultural technology.