Remote Sensing Technicians
Remote Sensing Technicians use satellites, drones, and aircraft sensors to collect detailed images and measurements of Earth for projects in environmental science, city planning, agriculture, and security. They set up and calibrate equipment, monitor data as it is collected, and use software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, or ENVI to clean up errors, merge images, and turn raw pixels into usable maps and 3D models. They also help plan mapping missions, document their methods in technical reports, and work with scientists and engineers to answer questions about issues like climate change, water supplies, forest health, or urban growth.
Did you know?
Proficiency in GIS software, programming languages like Python or R, and familiarity with satellite imagery analysis tools are essential for competitive positioning in the American job market.
At a glance
Typical average pay
$57,700 Avg/yr
Growth
Fast growing
Top skill
Critical Thinking
Things to consider
Diverse Employment Sectors
Opportunities exist across government agencies (NASA, NOAA, USGS), private environmental consulting firms, agricultural technology companies, and defense contractors throughout the United States.
Continuous Technology Adaptation
The field requires ongoing learning to keep pace with rapidly evolving satellite technology, machine learning applications, and new remote sensing platforms in the competitive American tech landscape.
Key responsibilities
Evaluate remote sensing project requirements to determine the types of equipment or computer software necessary to meet project requirements, such as specific image types or output resolutions.
Correct raw data for errors due to factors such as skew or atmospheric variation.
Provide remote sensing data for use in addressing environmental issues, such as surface water modeling or dust cloud detection.
Integrate remotely sensed data with other geospatial data.
Document methods used and write technical reports containing information collected.