Remote Sensing Specialist - Agriculture

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Comprehensive medical and retirement

Flexible remote work hours

Professional growth & industry confs

Access to advanced tech & software

Collaborative culture

Generous annual leave

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly specialized Remote Sensing Specialist to join a leader in agricultural technology and data analytics. This fully remote role centers on leveraging satellite and aerial imagery for crop health, soil, and land-use insights for precision agriculture.

The ideal candidate will have a MSc/PhD in a related field, 5+ years of experience in remote sensing, and proficiency with ENVI, ERDAS Imagine, ArcGIS, and QGIS.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Remote Sensing, Geography, Environmental Science, Agriculture, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in remote sensing data analysis, with a focus on agricultural applications.
• Proficiency in remote sensing software (e.g., ENVI, ERDAS Imagine) and GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS).
• Experience with programming languages commonly used in geospatial analysis, such as Python or R.
• Strong understanding of spectral signatures of vegetation and soil.
• Experience with image processing techniques, including atmospheric correction and geometric correction.
• Familiarity with agricultural practices and crop types is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage projects effectively in a remote setting.

Responsibilities

• Acquire, process, and analyze multi-spectral and hyper-spectral satellite and aerial imagery.
• Develop and apply algorithms for crop health monitoring, yield prediction, and land cover classification.
• Utilize GIS software to integrate remote sensing data with other agricultural datasets (e.g., soil maps, weather data).
• Create thematic maps, dashboards, and reports visualizing geospatial information for agricultural decision-making.
• Conduct research and development to explore new applications of remote sensing in agriculture.
• Collaborate with agronomists, data scientists, and other team members to provide data-driven recommendations.
• Identify and evaluate new remote sensing technologies and data sources.
• Ensure data quality, accuracy, and consistency throughout the analysis process.
• Stay current with advancements in remote sensing, GIS, and agricultural technology.
• Communicate findings and recommendations effectively through presentations and written reports.

Skills

Remote sensing

GIS

Python

Data visualization

Education

Master's degree or PhD in Remote Sensing or related field

5+ years experience in remote sensing data analysis

Tools

ENVI

ERDAS Imagine

ArcGIS

QGIS

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leader in agricultural technology and data analytics, is seeking a highly specialized Remote Sensing Specialist to join their team on a fully remote basis. This role is critical for leveraging satellite and aerial imagery to provide advanced insights into crop health, soil conditions, and land use patterns for agricultural applications. The Specialist will work with large geospatial datasets, employing sophisticated analytical techniques and software to support precision agriculture initiatives. This position requires a deep understanding of remote sensing principles, GIS, and their application in the agricultural sector. The ideal candidate is adept at data interpretation, visualization, and communicating complex findings clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the advancement of data-driven farming from anywhere in Benoni, Gauteng, ZA, or any approved location within South Africa.

Key Responsibilities

• Acquire, process, and analyze multi-spectral and hyper-spectral satellite and aerial imagery.
• Develop and apply algorithms for crop health monitoring, yield prediction, and land cover classification.
• Utilize GIS software to integrate remote sensing data with other agricultural datasets (e.g., soil maps, weather data).
• Create thematic maps, dashboards, and reports visualizing geospatial information for agricultural decision-making.
• Conduct research and development to explore new applications of remote sensing in agriculture.
• Collaborate with agronomists, data scientists, and other team members to provide data-driven recommendations.
• Identify and evaluate new remote sensing technologies and data sources.
• Ensure data quality, accuracy, and consistency throughout the analysis process.
• Stay current with advancements in remote sensing, GIS, and agricultural technology.
• Communicate findings and recommendations effectively through presentations and written reports.

Requirements

• Master's degree or PhD in Remote Sensing, Geography, Environmental Science, Agriculture, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in remote sensing data analysis, with a focus on agricultural applications.
• Proficiency in remote sensing software (e.g., ENVI, ERDAS Imagine) and GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS).
• Experience with programming languages commonly used in geospatial analysis, such as Python or R.
• Strong understanding of spectral signatures of vegetation and soil.
• Experience with image processing techniques, including atmospheric correction and geometric correction.
• Familiarity with agricultural practices and crop types is highly desirable.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical information clearly.
• Proven ability to work independently and manage projects effectively in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package reflective of expertise.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits.
• Flexible work hours and a fully remote work environment.
• Opportunities for professional growth and attending industry conferences.
• Access to state-of-the-art technology and software.
• A collaborative and innovative company culture.
• Generous annual leave.