Senior Payload Data Operator

External Job Description

FADA is seeking a Senior Payload Data Processing Engineer to design, develop, and operate processing chains that transform raw satellite payload data into calibrated, analysis-ready products. The role covers the full downstream processing chain, from Level-0 ingestion through Level-1 and Level-2 products.
The successful candidate will have hands-on experience with both Electro-Optical (EO) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payloads and will work closely with satellite operations teams. 
Key Responsibilities
•    Define EO product specifications with end users, mission engineers, and stakeholders to meet mission objectives.
•    Translate user and mission requirements into processing specifications, product formats, and metadata standards.
•    Act as the technical interface between payload processing, satellite operations, and system engineering teams.
•    Design, develop, and maintain processing pipelines from raw data ingestion through Level-0, Level-1, and Level-2 products.
•    Implement optical image processing algorithms, including registration, georeferencing, orthorectification, radiometric and atmospheric correction, cloud masking, classification, and derived products.
•    Integrate workflows into scalable, automated processing systems with defined throughput and latency targets.
•    Support multi-payload and multi-sensor operations across different platforms and data sources.
•    Continuously improve processing chains through the evaluation of new algorithms, tools, and techniques.
•    Contribute to payload characterization, calibration, and validation (Cal/Val) activities.
•    Collaborate with satellite operations teams to improve product quality throughout the acquisition-to-delivery cycle.
•    Lead investigations into data chain anomalies and drive issues to resolution across payload, downlink, ingestion, and processing stages.
•    Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and represent FADA in engagements with suppliers, vendors, and partners.
Education & Qualifications
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Remote Sensing, Geomatics, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.
Must have skills
•    5-8 years of experience in satellite payload data processing, with responsibility for processing chains, algorithms, or product lines.
•    Hands-on experience processing optical EO data, including calibration, correction, and product generation.
•    Hands-on experience processing SAR data, including focusing raw data into Level-1 image products.
•    Experience developing, validating, commissioning, and operating payload data processing systems.
Desired Skills
•    Strong knowledge of remote sensing principles and optical and radar image processing.
•    Familiarity with geospatial data structures, coordinate systems, projections, and standards such as GeoTIFF, STAC, and OGC services.
•    Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent technical communication, and the ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary operational environments

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