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Remote Sensing Scientist Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

Degree in Earth Science, Atmospheric Science, Meteorology, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Remote Sensing or a related technical field from an ABET-accredited university ...

QA/Test Lead

Huntsville, AL · On-site +1

$140K/yr

... remote sensing algorithms, tools, and techniques to deliver world-class data exploitation ... Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physical Sciences, or a related technical field ...

Remote Sensing Scientist information

See Alabama salary details

$75.7K

$115.1K

$155K

How much do remote sensing scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote sensing scientist in Alabama is $115,139.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,800.00 and $130,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a remote sensing scientist?

Remote Sensing Scientists are professionals who use satellite or airborne sensor data to analyze and interpret information about the Earth's surface and atmosphere. They apply techniques from physics, geography, and computer science to process and analyze remotely sensed images for applications such as environmental monitoring, agriculture, urban planning, and disaster management. Their work often involves using software to manipulate geospatial data and create maps or models that inform decision-making. Remote Sensing Scientists may work in government agencies, research institutions, or private industry, and often collaborate with other scientists and engineers.

What does a remote sensing scientist do?

Remote sensing scientists analyze data using sensors to solve problems related to local issues like urban planning to global complications like natural resource management. As a remote sensing scientist, your responsibilities include using statistical analysis or image analysis software to analyze data acquired by aircraft, satellites, and other platforms. You monitor atmospheric changes, better understand geospatial information, and even help influence decision making regarding fair and equitable land use. Remote sensing scientists are closely involved in innumerable fields.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a remote sensing scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Remote Sensing Scientist, you need a strong background in geospatial analysis, image processing, and a relevant degree in fields such as geography, environmental science, or engineering. Familiarity with GIS software (like ArcGIS or QGIS), remote sensing tools (such as ENVI or ERDAS Imagine), and programming languages (Python, R) is typically required. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for interpreting data and presenting findings. These competencies are vital for accurately analyzing earth observation data, supporting decision-making, and ensuring the reliability of scientific conclusions.

What are some typical challenges remote sensing scientists face when working with large datasets?

Remote Sensing Scientists often work with massive amounts of satellite or aerial imagery, which can present challenges related to data storage, processing speed, and data quality management. Ensuring the accuracy of image analysis and integrating data from multiple sensor types or platforms can also be complex. To address these issues, scientists frequently rely on high-performance computing, cloud-based platforms, and advanced algorithms for data preprocessing and analysis. Collaborating closely with data engineers and software developers is common to streamline workflow and maintain data integrity.

What is the difference between Remote Sensing Scientist vs GIS Analyst?

AspectRemote Sensing ScientistGIS Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Remote Sensing, Geospatial Science, or related fieldsBachelor's/Master's in Geography, GIS, or related fields
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, government agencies, environmental firmsUrban planning, environmental consulting, government agencies
Industry UsageSatellite data analysis, environmental monitoringMapping, spatial data analysis, infrastructure planning
Common Search IntentRemote sensing data interpretation, satellite imagery analysisGIS mapping, spatial data management

While both roles involve geospatial data, Remote Sensing Scientists focus on analyzing satellite and aerial imagery to monitor environmental changes, whereas GIS Analysts primarily work with geographic information systems to create maps and analyze spatial data for planning and decision-making.

Does remote sensing scientist pay well?

Remote sensing scientists typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, education, and location. According to industry data, median salaries range from $60,000 to over $100,000 annually, with higher pay often associated with advanced skills in GIS, image analysis, and remote sensing software. Many roles also offer benefits such as flexible schedules and opportunities for professional development.

How much do remote sensing scientists earn?

Remote sensing scientists typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Advanced skills in GIS, image analysis, and programming can lead to higher compensation, especially in research or industry roles.

What job categories do people searching Remote Sensing Scientist jobs in Alabama look for?

The top searched job categories for Remote Sensing Scientist jobs in Alabama are:

What cities in Alabama are hiring for Remote Sensing Scientist jobs?

Cities in Alabama with the most Remote Sensing Scientist job openings:

Infographic showing various Remote Sensing Scientist job openings in Alabama as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $115,139 per year, or $55.4 per hour.

Scientific Computing & Geospatial Engineer

Lynker Corporation

Tuscaloosa, AL • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

OverviewLynker is seeking a skilled and motivated Senior Scientific Computing & Geospatial Engineer to support large-scale hydrologic and geospatial data infrastructure. This role works at the intersection of environmental science and high-performance software development, contributing to national-scale flood forecasting, terrain analysis, and hydrologic modeling systems that operational forecasters and emergency managers depend on every day.The ideal candidate is comfortable moving between backend engineering, raster and terrain processing, scientific Python workflows, and cloud-native data infrastructure and is motivated by the idea that their code outputs matter in the real world.Responsibilities

Duties of the Scientific Computing & Geospatial Engineer may include but are not limited to:

  • Design and build high-throughput raster and terrain processing pipelines for flood mapping, terrain analysis, and DEM conditioning workflows                
  • Develop and maintain cloud-native geospatial data pipelines across formats including Parquet, Zarr, and NetCDF
  • Optimize memory- and compute-intensive scientific workflows for performance and scalability at national scale                                                
  • Collaborate with hydrologists, scientists, and modeling teams to translate domain requirements into reliable, maintainable software                          
  • Build and maintain AWS-based infrastructure supporting scalable scientific computing and data delivery                                                      
  • Contribute to backend API and data pipeline development feeding operational hydrologic forecasting systems                                                  
  • Apply modern software practices including Docker, CI/CD, and automated testing across all development work
  • Perform related duties as assigned      
Qualifications

The Scientific Computing & Geospatial Engineer selected should have the following:

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, geospatial science, hydrology, or a related field (MS or above is a strong plus)                                      
  • 3+ years of relevant software development experience
  • Strong scientific Python experience including numpy, pandas, xarray, and geopandas 
  • Experience processing large geospatial or environmental datasets using GDAL or equivalent tools 
  • Familiarity with cloud-native geospatial formats and chunked or tiled data processing approaches
  • Experience with AWS storage and compute workflows (S3, EC2, batch)            
  • Solid software engineering fundamentals - version control, testing, CI/CD, Docker
  • Ability to work independently on complex assignments and deliver sound technical recommendations
  • Strong written and oral communication skills for documentation and cross-disciplinary collaboration  

The Ideal candidate will have the following:

  •  Expereince with Rust for high-performance scientific or geospatial computing
  •  Background in flood inundation mapping, hydrologic modeling, or remote sensing
  •  Cloud infrastructure automation using Terraform or AWS CDK
  •  HPC or accelerated computing experience
  •  Experience with ensemble or gridded meteorological data formats

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities - creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

  • Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
  • Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
  • Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
  • Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
  • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - we're all company owners!
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)
  • Short- and long-term disability insurance
  • Life and accident insurance
  • Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
  • Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
  • Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
  • Employee Referral Program
  • Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
  • Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.

 Fraud Alert: Recruitment Scam Warning: Lynker has been made aware of fraudulent individuals posing as Lynker recruiters and offering fake job opportunities. All legitimate Lynker job postings are listed on our official careers page. Communication from Lynker recruiters will come from an official @lynker.com email address.

    Employment Type: FULL_TIME