Forward Deployed Geospatial Engineer - SAR Intelligence

Reports to:

VP, Forward Deployed Engineering

Working type:
Hybrid (On-site at customer locations approx. 50% of time)

Must be eligible and able to attain relevant national and NATO security clearances at the highest level.

Must be based in-country and native level speaker of the country you're deploying to.

• Role:
  Forward Deployed Engineer - SAR Intelligence
• Department:
  Forward Deployed Engineering
• Location:
  
  UAE (Abu Dhabi)

In this role, you will bridge the gap between SAR physics and operational intelligence—ensuring defense and intelligence customers extract maximum tactical value from ICEYE’s satellite imagery. Embedded with intelligence analysts and military operators, you’ll operationalize ICEYE’s ISR Suite, configure automated detection workflows, and translate raw SAR data into actionable intelligence that delivers immediate situational awareness across maritime and land domains.

SAR Data Operationalization

• Train and support intelligence analysts using SAR imagery for tactical missions (maritime, ground, infrastructure).
• Configure and optimize ICEYE ISR Suite for customer use cases and mission‑relevant outputs.
• QA/validate SAR imagery products to meet operational requirements.

Custom Geospatial Workflows

• Develop Python geospatial automation (GDAL, Rasterio, Num Py) tailored to customer needs.
• Integrate ICEYE SAR data into customer COP environments (ArcGIS, QGIS, proprietary platforms).
• Implement automated detection/alerting for priority intelligence requirements (e.g., dark vessels, border anomalies, change detection).

Customer Engagement & Training

• Serve as SAR/geospatial SME for defense and intelligence customers.
• Deliver training on SAR fundamentals, interpretation, and platform capabilities.
• Provide embedded, real-time analytical support on watch floors/ops centers during missions.

Product Feedback & Innovation

• Capture operational feedback and translate into actionable product/engineering requirements.
• Document use cases, methods, and best practices for team reuse.
• Surface opportunities for new capabilities aligned to mission needs.

Must Have Skills

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) or equivalent experience in Remote Sensing, Geophysics, GIS, Geography, or related technical field.
• Understanding of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) physics, including polarimetry, interferometry, and imaging modes.
• Strong programming skills in Python for geospatial and earth observation data processing (GDAL, Rasterio, Num Py, Geo Pandas).
• Hands‑on experience analyzing and interpreting satellite imagery for intelligence or operational applications.
• Proven ability to translate complex technical concepts into actionable insights for non‑technical stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills in English (written & spoken) with ability to deliver effective training and technical presentations.
• Willingness to travel 30‑50% to customer sites within the region.

Nice To Have Skills

• Experience working in defense, intelligence, or government operational environments.
• Familiarity with maritime domain awareness (AIS data, vessel detection, port monitoring).
• Experience with change detection, object detection, or automated feature extraction from satellite imagery.
• Knowledge of geospatial data standards and formats (GeoTIFF, COG, GeoJSON, KML).
• Understanding of military intelligence collection requirements and processes (PIR, CCIRs).

• Talent Acquisition Interview
• Take home task
• Hiring Manager Interview
• Hiring Team Interview
• Offer Decision

At ICEYE, you’ll join a diverse and highly engaged team united by the ambition to make the impossible possible. As a global scale‑up, we combine speed and ambition with the opportunity to take real ownership from day one. Your growth, wellbeing, and success are a priority, with continuous professional development, training opportunities, and a culture where collaboration is how we win.

• Be curious:
  Go deep, ask questions, listen carefully, and think critically. Understand the "why" behind decisions.
• See the big picture:
  Stay close to what’s happening…