Senior Satellite Image Processing Engineer (f/m/x)

Tech stack and tools:

• EO & Remote Sensing: radiometric and geometric calibration for pushbroom TDI sensors

• CEOS processing levels (L0/L1A/L1B)

• onboard/ground processing chain design

• Standards & Formats: DIMAP, GeoTIFF/COG, STAC

• Language: Python (data analysis, processing workflows, automation)

• Infrastructure: AWS (S3, EC2)

Processing chain ownership

• Own the definition and documentation of the full data processing chain from L0 (raw detector output) through onboard processing to ground L1A/L1B generation.

• Drive decisions on which processing steps run onboard vs. on the ground, balancing bandwidth constraints, data quality, and storage budgets.

• Maintain the processing architecture as a living technical baseline as the design matures through CDR and into implementation.

Data product & format definition

• Define what the satellite produces at each stage of the chain: sensor output packet format and embedded telemetry, onboard data handling format, downlink packaging, and the final image product specification (structure, format, delivery).

• Own the consolidated metadata parameter set as one concrete deliverable within this; specifying what gets recorded, by which component, and how it propagates through to the final product.

• Act as the primary interface to hardware partners on data format specifications and interface control documents.

Calibration strategy & execution

• Own the in-orbit calibration programme: DSNU/PRNU correction table management, side-slither maneuver planning, lunar drift monitoring, and vicarious calibration campaigns at reference sites.

• Develop and maintain the ground L1B processing chain: flat-field correction, radiometric calibration, geometric sensor modelling, and RPC generation.

• Plan and execute the commissioning calibration campaign (~6 months post-launch), including inter-satellite cross-calibration for stereo consistency ML Lifecycle & Data-Model Integration.

Partner interfaces & verification

• Lead technical interface discussions with hardware partners on onboard processing constraints and ICDs.

• Support definition and execution of end-to-end simulation and verification campaigns (onboard and on-ground).

• Contribute to schedule and work package planning for CDR and subsequent development phases Cloud Infrastructure & Tooling.

• Maintain our AWS-based cloud stack and Databricks environments, and drive adoption of cloud-native geospatial standards (COG, Zarr, STAC) to future-proof the data platform.

On-board processing (supporting role)

• Collaborate with the broader team on onboard processing trade-offs: cloud-masking placement, AOI clipping strategy, and compression configuration.

• Strong working knowledge of optical satellite data processing from raw to analysis-ready (L0→L1B).

• Radiometric and geometric calibration for space-borne optical instruments.

• Able to hold the system-level picture (end-to-end data flow, onboard/ground interdependencies) while engaging with low-level technical details.

• Comfortable in multi-stakeholder, multi-supplier environments where interfaces are still being defined.

• Background in space systems engineering, remote sensing, or a closely related field.

• Python for data analysis, processing workflows, and automation.

• Experience with TDI pushbroom sensor calibration specifically is a plus.

• In-orbit calibration campaign planning or execution is a plus.

• Familiarity with onboard processing hardware (embedded Linux, hardware-constrained environments) is a plus.

• Experience with stereo satellite missions or photogrammetry is a plus.

• Familiarity with VHR commercial satellite data (Pleiades, WorldView, SuperView) and their calibration approaches is a plus.

• Experience with ICD or interface definition in space projects is a plus.

• The opportunity to create a product that can improve business processes and lives across the globe.

• Flexible working hours and hybrid work model - we trust our employees to get their work done while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

• We empower employees to drive their own career development, take initiative and have the freedom to be creative and bold.

• Not an overtime culture - we take care that overtime is done only as a necessity and always offset with time off and rest.

• A collaborative and learning environment - frequent internal workshops, knowledge sharing sessions, journal clubs and hackathons.

• Office located in the centre of Berlin Kreuzberg with free fruit, nuts and drinks.

• A diverse and vibrant international environment of 30+ different nationalities.

• Potential to participate in the employee stock option program.

• Urban Sports membership and BVG subsidy, corporate pension program.