SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Geospatial Intelligence Analyst
  • Image Scientist
  • Remote Sensing Analyst
  • Remote Sensing Scientist
  • Research Scientist
  • Scientist
  • Sensor Specialist

What do Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists do?

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists are professionals who specialize in the acquisition, interpretation, and analysis of information from satellite and airborne sensor data. They utilize a range of technologies and methodologies to observe and monitor the Earth’s surface, including its land, atmosphere, and oceans. Their work plays a crucial role in various fields, such as environmental monitoring, urban planning, agriculture, and disaster management. By processing and analyzing data captured through remote sensing instruments, these scientists contribute to our understanding of the planet's dynamics, assess natural resources, track climate change, and support decision-making processes in both public and private sectors. Their expertise often involves integrating data with geographic information systems (GIS) and advancing techniques in image analysis and modeling.

What the work actually is

  • 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.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Science Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities

  • Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Inductive Reasoning The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Knowledge

  • Geography Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
  • Computers and Electronics Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Engineering and Technology Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Post-baccalaureate certificate
Awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master

A normal week

  • Working with Computers
  • Processing Information
  • Analyzing Data or Information
  • Getting Information
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Analytical or scientific software Agisoft Metashape · Calibration software · Litchi · The MathWorks MATLAB
  • Video creation and editing software YouTube
  • Object or component oriented development software C# · Perl · Scala · Swift
  • Development environment software Apache Kafka · Go · Microsoft Azure software · Ruby
  • Data base management system software Amazon DynamoDB · Apache Hive · Elasticsearch · Microsoft SQL Server

Tools

  • Aircraft guidance systems DJI GS Pro · DroneDeploy · DroneLogbook
  • Aerial cameras Airborne imaging systems · Spaceborne imaging systems
  • Radarbased surveillance systems Doppler Rayleigh laser imaging ranging and detecting LIDAR systems · Synthetic aperture radar SAR
  • Airships Fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicles UAV · Multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicles UAV
  • Spectrographs Hyperspectral imaging equipment · Spectral imaging systems

Who it suits

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists earn in South Africa?

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists do?

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) and Integrate other geospatial data sources into projects.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.