What does a remote sensing engineer do?
A remote sensing engineer applies remote sensing principles and methods to analyze data and solve problems in areas such as natural resource management and urban planning. They may develop new sensor systems, analytical techniques, or new applications for existing systems. Their duties and responsibilities also include designing or implementing strategies for collection, analysis, or display of geographic data.
Remote sensing engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real remote sensing engineer resumes:
- Manage EMC testing at outside labs and design & build specialty fixtures and interfaces.
- Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
- Participate in field data acquisition using LIDAR capture equipment and GPS systems.
- Maintain geospatial metadata for GIS projects.
- Create different vector data layers for maps in ArcView and ArcMap GIS.
- Moderate exposure to processing in mobile, terrestrial, UAS, and rotary wing applications.
- Perform product testing, process characterization and validations leading to FDA and OUS product submissions.
- Create engineering processes and procedures design to capture sensor failure trends and analysis (CAPA).
- Used ArcMap, ArcCalalog, ArcToolbox, and ArcScene for a variety of applications, e.g.
- Coordinate environmental testing of system electronics and debugging of any and all arising anomalies.
- Result in reduce coding, debugging and overall time-to-market while increasing reliability and functionality.
- Act as primary support engineer for application hardware/software troubleshooting and issue resolution in a UNIX environment.
- Design, construct, and implement calibration automation software for test equipment utilizing MetCal and MatLab software.
- Collaborate with project managers and developers to refine interaction design; update team about information architecture and UI issues.
- Perform multiple augments installing and adding new devices/servers along with adding configurations for video streaming using Unix and checking router configurations.
Remote sensing engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Remote Sensing Engineers are proficient in Remote Sensing, RF, and LiDAR. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Listening skills, and Math skills.
We break down the percentage of Remote Sensing Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Remote Sensing, 22%
Recommend new remote sensing hardware/software acquisitions.
- RF, 19%
Performed system diagnostics, including problem isolation within the RF and Network interfaces requiring spectrum and protocol analysis equipment.
- LiDAR, 19%
Reviewed and modified LiDAR point classifications of other technicians for quality control purposes.
- Data Processing, 10%
Created and vetted workflows for efficient data processing and more accurate environmental analysis.
- Algorithm Development, 8%
Develop NEON science products including optimization of data collection and input into algorithm development.
- CAD, 7%
Gained proficiency in CAD, design control, Chemical compatibility, Geometric dimensions and tolerance, Statistical analysis.
"remote sensing," "rf," and "lidar" are among the most common skills that remote sensing engineers use at work. You can find even more remote sensing engineer responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. The most essential soft skill for a remote sensing engineer to carry out their responsibilities is creativity. This skill is important for the role because "mechanical engineers design and build complex pieces of equipment and machinery." Additionally, a remote sensing engineer resume shows how their duties depend on creativity: "performed inventory management, maintenance and installation of aerial sensors (lidar, ultracam, and midas) and mounts. "
Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling remote sensing engineer duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "mechanical engineers often work on projects with others, such as architects and computer scientists." According to a remote sensing engineer resume, here's how remote sensing engineers can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "interfaced and communicated with meridian 1/cse systems remotely to modify customer database information and troubleshoot installation-programming problems. "
Math skills. This is an important skill for remote sensing engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how remote sensing engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "mechanical engineers use the principles of calculus, statistics, and other advanced subjects in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a remote sensing engineer: "performed hands on calculations on reduced or simplified math models to make designing and testing more efficient. ".
Mechanical skills. remote sensing engineer responsibilities often require "mechanical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "mechanical skills allow engineers to apply basic engineering concepts and mechanical processes to the design of new devices and systems." This resume example shows what remote sensing engineers do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "perform preventive maintenance and repair response work orders on facility mechanical, electrical, and other installed systems. "
Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in remote sensing engineer job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what remote sensing engineers do. Remote sensing engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "mechanical engineers need good problem-solving skills to take scientific principles and discoveries and use them to design and build useful products." You can also see how remote sensing engineer duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "trouble logging on to service) gathered information, researched/resolved inquiries and logged customer calls. "
The three companies that hire the most remote sensing engineers are:
- Hired5,172 remote sensing engineers jobs
- Accenture57 remote sensing engineers jobs
- CyberCoders50 remote sensing engineers jobs
Compare different remote sensing engineers
Remote sensing engineer vs. Geospatial image analyst
Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a remote sensing engineer are more likely to require skills like "rf," "lidar," "algorithm development," and "cad." On the other hand, a job as a geospatial image analyst requires skills like "mri," "photoshop," "visualization," and "data analysis." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Geospatial image analysts tend to make the most money working in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $99,794. In contrast, remote sensing engineers make the biggest average salary, $106,420, in the pharmaceutical industry.geospatial image analysts tend to reach lower levels of education than remote sensing engineers. In fact, geospatial image analysts are 10.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.8% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Remote sensing engineer vs. Weather algorithm scientist
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that remote sensing engineer responsibilities requires skills like "remote sensing," "rf," "lidar," and "data processing." But a weather algorithm scientist might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "matlab," "gpu," "algorithm design," and "new algorithms."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Weather algorithm scientists tend to reach similar levels of education than remote sensing engineers. In fact, they're 3.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 4.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Remote sensing engineer vs. Engineer
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a remote sensing engineer is likely to be skilled in "lidar," "data processing," "algorithm development," and "test results," while a typical engineer is skilled in "python," "cloud," "c++," and "c #."
Engineers make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $97,672. On the other hand, remote sensing engineers are paid the highest salary in the pharmaceutical industry, with average annual pay of $106,420.Most engineers achieve a lower degree level compared to remote sensing engineers. For example, they're 9.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 4.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Remote sensing engineer vs. Remote sensing specialist
Types of remote sensing engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
