What does a remote sensing scientist do?
A remote sensing scientist specializes in developing and upgrading sensing technology, which is usually used in surveillance and security cameras. The remote sensing scientist improves motion detection, night vision, infrared sensing, camera technology, and surveillance. Security is an important part of any business, and it is vital for a remote sensing scientist always to upgrade sensing technology regularly. The remote sensing scientist also gathers information, analyzes it, and provides management with a comprehensive report on what to improve and develop.
Remote sensing scientist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real remote sensing scientist resumes:
- Develop and manage third party claim investigations and contractor remedial oversight for various insurance companies.
- Prepare and document GIS coverage and databases.
- Devise associative memory for spectral and spatial sensor fusion successfully for Lidar and HSI data.
- Provide GIS analysis of yield maps, soil sampling results, and scouting maps for establishment of management zones.
- Review key biomarkers staining on prostate biopsy samples daily to ensure quality of IHC/IF staining and adherence to GLP guidelines.
- Study dimensional manifold in Lidar 4D segmentation and classification.
- Develop various utilities for easy visualization, analysis and debugging of the results.
- Structure-Base design and synthesis of biologically active compounds targeting SH2 domains for the treatment of osteoporosis and/or cancer.
- Experience touch panel module manufacturing: module design, laser printing, lamination, ACF bonding, packaging, etc.
Remote sensing scientist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 33% of Remote Sensing Scientists are proficient in Remote Sensing, Data Analysis, and LiDAR.
We break down the percentage of Remote Sensing Scientists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Remote Sensing, 33%
Established NASA-funded Pan-American Center for Earth & Environmental Studies (PACES) remote sensing center.
- Data Analysis, 31%
Design and implement advanced spatial data analysis projects in support of customers who manage complex natural resource challenges.
- LiDAR, 12%
Reviewed and modified LiDAR point classifications of other technicians for quality control purposes.
- Algorithm Development, 10%
Collaborated on Multi-INT IR&D, providing algorithm development and verification expertise.
- GIS, 5%
Utilized various GIS software packages including ERDAS ViewFinder, and ArcMap * Presented research at a faculty forum at Talladega College
- Data Collection, 5%
Provided third party technical consultation regarding hyper-spectral remote sensing, data collection, and warehousing techniques.
"remote sensing," "data analysis," and "lidar" are among the most common skills that remote sensing scientists use at work. You can find even more remote sensing scientist responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a remote sensing scientist to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Additionally, a remote sensing scientist resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "provide on-going project support, monitoring, data management and communications. "
The three companies that hire the most remote sensing scientists are:
- BAE Systems7 remote sensing scientists jobs
- The Aerospace Corporation4 remote sensing scientists jobs
- Amazon3 remote sensing scientists jobs
Compare different remote sensing scientists
Remote sensing scientist vs. Geospatial image analyst
A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between remote sensing scientists and geospatial image analyst. For instance, remote sensing scientist responsibilities require skills such as "lidar," "algorithm development," "envi," and "data collection." Whereas a geospatial image analyst is skilled in "mri," "photoshop," "visualization," and "image analysis." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, geospatial image analysts reach lower levels of education than remote sensing scientists. Geospatial image analysts are 19.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 18.7% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Remote sensing scientist vs. Weather algorithm scientist
The primary role of a Staff Scientist is to develop and manage scientific research projects with minimal supervision. They are also responsible for the technical and budgetary aspects of scientific research projects.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, remote sensing scientist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "remote sensing," "data analysis," "lidar," and "algorithm development." Meanwhile, a weather algorithm scientist has duties that require skills in areas such as "matlab," "gpu," "algorithm design," and "new algorithms." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
In general, weather algorithm scientists achieve lower levels of education than remote sensing scientists. They're 5.8% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 18.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for remote sensing scientists in the next 3-5 years?
Scott Johnson
Professor and Director, University of Maine
Remote sensing scientist vs. Scientist
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, remote sensing scientists are more likely to have skills like "lidar," "algorithm development," "envi," and "gis." But a scientist is more likely to have skills like "chemistry," "patients," "molecular biology," and "cell culture."
Most scientists achieve a lower degree level compared to remote sensing scientists. For example, they're 12.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Remote sensing scientist vs. Staff scientist
Even though a few skill sets overlap between remote sensing scientists and staff scientists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a remote sensing scientist might have more use for skills like "lidar," "algorithm development," "envi," and "usgs." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of staff scientists require skills like "research projects," "molecular biology," "next-generation sequencing," and "statistical analysis. "
In general, staff scientists hold lower degree levels compared to remote sensing scientists. Staff scientists are 18.0% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 4.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of remote sensing scientist
Updated January 8, 2025
