Image Processing Scientist - Geometric

Role: Image Processing Scientist - Geometric Employment Type: Full Time Educational Qualification: Ph.D. or M.S. in Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing, Geodesy, Physics, Computer Vision, or related field and hands‑on experience in geometric calibration and orthorectification of satellite or aerial imagery
Work Experience: 4+ yrs
Role Description
We are seeking a Image Processing Scientist - Geometric to lead the design, development, and validation of geometric calibration and orthorectification pipelines for high‑resolution and hyperspectral satellite imagery. You will be responsible for defining and implementing robust camera models, attitude reconstruction algorithms, and metadata correction techniques to ensure sub‑pixel geolocation accuracy across single‑ and multi‑detector focal plane arrays.
Responsibilities & Duties

Geometric Calibration & Orthorectification
Develop and maintain Python‑based libraries for camera intrinsics/extrinsics estimation, image‑to‑ground and ground‑to‑image transforms
Implement orthorectification workflows, integrating DEM sources (e.g., Copernicus) and projection handling
Design algorithms to reconstruct and correct pushbroom metadata (e.g., attitude, first_line_time, ephemeris) for congruent multi‑band alignment
Sensor Characterization & Accuracy Assessment
Calibrate focal‑plane arrays on orbiting satellites (single‑detector and multi‑detector architectures) to extract focal length, optical distortion, and mounting offsets
Quantify and monitor pointing and geolocation errors (CE90, LE90) using GCPs, truth ortho references (e.g., Sentinel‑2), and scatter‑plot analysis
Lead periodic assessments of geolocation performance and drive corrective action in attitude/orbit determination subsystems
Pipeline Development & Automation
Architect end‑to‑end processing pipelines for pushbroom sensor data: metadata ingestion, NUC application, orthorectification, packaging as GeoTIFFs
Integrate external reference data services (e.g., Sentinel‑2 archives) for truth comparisons and validation
Collaborate with DevOps to containerize and deploy processing services at scale
Algorithm Research & Innovation
Invent and prototype new registration techniques (e.g., multi‑channel registration, shear‑based band alignment, scale correction)
Evaluate state‑of‑the‑art photogrammetric and computer‑vision methods to enhance geometric fidelity
Publish and present technical findings at industry conferences
Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Mentorship
Work closely with radiometric scientists, data engineers, and mission planners to align geometric requirements with end‑user products
Mentor junior engineers in best practices for camera modeling, metadata handling, and quality assessment
Contribute to technical design reviews, documentation, and training materials Required Skills

Ph.D. or M.S. in Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing, Geodesy, Physics, Computer Vision, or related field and hands‑on experience in geometric calibration and orthorectification of satellite or aerial imagery
Proficient in Python (experience with NumPy, SciPy, Rasterio/GDAL)
Deep understanding of camera models (pinhole, pushbroom), sensor geometry, and projection systems (UTM, WGS84, custom CRS)
Proven track record of implementing attitude reconstruction algorithms and metadata correction workflows
Expertise in geolocation accuracy metrics (CE90, GCP workflows) and DEM integration for terrain correction
Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with ability to validate complex algorithms quantitatively
Preferred Skills

Experience with hyperspectral sensor architectures and multi‑detector focal plane arrays
Familiarity with CEOS/OGC standards, RadCalNet sites, and ARD compliance requirements
Background in developing automated, containerized processing pipelines (Docker, Kubernetes)
History of conference presentations or peer‑reviewed publications in photogrammetry
Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to mentor cross‑disciplinary teams
Candidate Acumen
A strong desire to work in an unstructured, high-growth, fast-paced start-up environment
Benefits

Health insurance coverage
Unlimited leaves & flexible working hours
Role-based remote work and work-from-home benefit
Relocation assistance
Professional Mental Wellness services
Creche facility for primary caregivers (limited to India)
Employee Stock Options for all hires
About Pixxel
Pixxel is a space data company and spacecraft manufacturer redefining Earth observation with hyperspectral imaging. The company’s first three commercial hyperspectral satellites—Fireflies—deliver imagery at 5-meter resolution and 135+ spectral bands, providing 50x richer detail than traditional Earth observation systems and unlocking insights across agriculture, climate, energy, environment, and more.
Once fully deployed, Pixxel’s constellation of 18-24 satellites will capture imagery across up to 250 bands in VNIR and SWIR ranges, with a 40 km swath and daily global revisit capability. Pixxel’s most unique strength is its full-stack approach, integrating every layer of the value chain from satellite hardware and manufacturing to AI-powered analytics.
Pixxel’s satellite constellation is complemented by Aurora, its in-house Earth Observation Studio that simplifies satellite imagery analysis and democratises remote sensing for all. Designed to make hyperspectral data more accessible, Aurora by Pixxel combines high-frequency imagery with AI-powered tools to generate actionable insights, even for users without technical backgrounds. The third pillar of Pixxel’s ecosystem is its in-house satellite manufacturing capability. Beyond building its own spacecraft, Pixxel also provides satellite systems and subsystems to other organisations. This dual capacity sets it apart in a sector where most companies focus on either payload design or data operations, but not both.
Pixxel’s team is young but deeply mission-aligned, with a culture rooted in curiosity, speed, and long-term thinking. As the company grows its constellation and expands Aurora, the focus remains on making space-based insights practical, scalable, and genuinely helpful so that the health of the planet becomes measurable and action becomes possible.
Pixxel was the only Indian startup selected for the Techstars Starburst Space Accelerator in Los Angeles and has been recognised in TIME’s Best Inventions of 2023, Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and Via Satellite’s Top Innovators list.
For more information, see our Careers page or follow Pixxel on LinkedIn and X/Twitter.
Culture
Pixxel is an organization where we enable our employees to work on world-changing problems that they are passionate about, and a place where they can be their best selves day in and day out while ensuring they have fun every day.
Central to our employee-first ethos is a commitment to ensuring that every team member feels valued and heard. We nurture a healthy and supportive work environment where we prioritise well-being and growth in all aspects of life
Link to Pixxel in Media