Image/Payload Processing Engineer

Quick Facts

Design, develop, and maintain software applications for space and Earth observation projects, with a focus on Python-based satellite image processing pipelines.

Description

Build end-to-end processing chains for multispectral, hyperspectral, SAR, and other Earth observation data, and translate technical capabilities into product requirements across engineering and product teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain software applications for diverse domains, including space-related projects (e.g., Payload Processors).
• Design, develop, and maintain Python-based satellite image processing end-to-end pipelines for multispectral, hyperspectral, SAR, and other Earth observation data.
• Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code using Python and other relevant technologies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, propose solutions, and ensure successful project delivery.
• Provide technical support to other teams, sharing knowledge of remote sensing (image processing chain), geospatial technologies, payload calibration and validation.
• Work closely with engineering and product teams to shape sensor architectures, evaluate system-, payload-, spacecraft-, processing-level performance, and translate technical capabilities into product requirements.
• Participate in research and development initiatives related to space technologies, staying abreast of modern advancements.
• Investigate new satellite sensors, processing techniques, and open-source geospatial technologies and incorporate relevant approaches into the processing stack.

Requirements

• 2+ years of relevant professional experience in Remote Sensing, Geomatics, Optics, Physics, or a related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Remote Sensing, Geomatics, Optics, Physics). Equivalent relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Self-driven and able to work independently in a fully remote, distributed team environment.
• Recent hands-on experience with satellite, drone, and/or aerial image-processing pipelines.
• Recent experience working with multispectral, hyperspectral and/or TIR data.
• Solid understanding of end-to-end (from RAW to L2A) image-processing workflows for remote sensing.
• Good understanding of remote sensing concepts, including: multispectral imagery and spectral bands, spatial, spectral, temporal, and radiometric resolution, radiance and reflectance, image calibration and validation (image-quality metrics), georeferencing and orthorectification.
• Proficiency in Python for scripting, data processing, automation, and testing.
• Understanding of software engineering fundamentals, including documentation, version control, collaborative code development, and basic software design principles and patterns.
• Interest in and willingness to work with modern technologies, particularly solutions and technologies targeting the space segment.
• Good knowledge of Linux operating systems and command-line tools.
• Proficiency in remote sensing modeling and analysis.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Best: Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a relevant field.
• Understanding of optical payload architectures (e.g., pushframe and pushbroom) and radar payload operation.
• Experience with image chain processing development, such as Calibration and Validation (CalVal) activities like georeferencing refinement, stacking or orthorectification.
• Knowledge and/or experience in space sector projects related with satellite data processing performed for example for ESA; knowledge of PDGS terminology and standards (e.g., image quality).
• Knowledge of another programming language e.g. C, C++, R.

Benefits

• Work in a friendly, well-coordinated team of enthusiasts.
• Stable employment in a modern company with an established market position.
• Attractive salary and benefits package (e.g., private medical care, sports card).
• Opportunities for professional development and participation in innovative projects.