Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

What the job really is

Apply remote sensing principles and methods to analyze data and solve problems in areas such as natural resource management, urban planning, or homeland security. May develop new sensor systems, analytical techniques, or new applications for existing systems.

At a glance

• Sector: Life, Physical & Social Science
• O*NET-SOC code: 19-2099
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Manage or analyze data obtained from remote sensing systems to obtain meaningful results.
• Analyze data acquired from aircraft, satellites, or ground-based platforms, using statistical analysis software, image analysis software, or Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Integrate other geospatial data sources into projects.
• Organize and maintain geospatial data and associated documentation.
• Compile and format image data to increase its usefulness.
• Prepare or deliver reports or presentations of geospatial project information.
• Discuss project goals, equipment requirements, or methodologies with colleagues or team members.
• Process aerial or satellite imagery to create products such as land cover maps.
• Design or implement strategies for collection, analysis, or display of geographic data.
• Develop or build databases for remote sensing or related geospatial project information.
• Collect supporting data, such as climatic or field survey data, to corroborate remote sensing data analyses.
• Monitor quality of remote sensing data collection operations to determine if procedural or equipment changes are necessary.

Tools and technology

Adobe Creative Cloud software, Amazon DynamoDB, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud EC2, Amazon Redshift, Amazon Web Services AWS CloudFormation, Amazon Web Services AWS software, Ansible software, Apache Hadoop, Apache Hive, Apache Kafka, Atlassian JIRA, Bash

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Remote Sensing Technicians
• Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians
• Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
• Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
• Geodetic Surveyors
• Surveying and Mapping Technicians
• Calibration Technologists and Technicians
• Aerospace Engineers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.