Remote Sensing Engineer

Job Description

InnerPlant is developing crops that can tell us what they need by turning the plants into Living Sensors. Our Smart Seeds signal early and specific stressors in a scalable and affordable way to reduce chemical use and increase yields, delivering more with less. We're backed by industry giant John Deere and other veteran venture capitalists and are poised for massive growth as we reimagine the role of crops in our farming system.

As we tap into the knowledge of plants, we are unlocking a more productive and sustainable farming system. If you want to solve real-world problems with cool science, changing the world for the better, this is the place for you.

The Remote Sensing Engineer will play a key role in allowing us to detect optical signals from our plants under field conditions. InnerPlant's new plant traits allow crops to produce fluorescent signals in response to specific stresses. We use remote sensing methods such as solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) to measure our plant signals. The successful candidate for this position will help design, build and maintain equipment and algorithms for detecting InnerPlant's fluorescence in the field from ground, aerial and satellite platforms. The ideal candidate will have experience with hyperspectral imaging technology for use on vehicle- and UAV-based platforms. Experience with SIF is a bonus.

Goals

• Design, build and possibly operate field equipment for mobile SIF detection of fluorescent proteins in plants (Primarily drone-based).
• Work with and improve algorithms for retrieving fluorescence from hyperspectral data (SIF, etc.).
• Maintain/improve equipment and software as needed.
• Vet and source suppliers as needed.
• Communicate needs and updates clearly to engineering and larger team.

Requirements

Skills Summary

• Optical spectrometry (i.e. hyperspectral imagery) / remote sensing
• Software: Python, Java, Microcontrollers (Arduino et al.), MATLAB, Drone/hyperspectral imagery processing
• Mechanical: drones, tower-based or wheeled platforms

Education and Experience

• Required skills:
  • MS, PhD or equivalent experience in field related to optical remote sensing engineering
  • At least 2 years of experience working with hyperspectral instrumentation.
  • Skill in most of the following categories: remote sensing, UAV/drones, data analysis, calibration of hyperspectral equipment, image processing
  • Strong scientific programming skills: Matlab, Python, Java, C++ etc.
  • Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
• Preferred skills
  • Experience with solar-induced fluorescence instruments and algorithms
  • Experience writing graphical user interfaces for computers and/or handheld devices.
  • Experience in plant biology or plant ecology/ecophysiology
• Bonus skills
  • Plant biology, agriculture or plant ecology/ecophysiology
  • GIS experience

Benefits

Working at InnerPlant

InnerPlant provides an amazing opportunity to work on some of the hardest problems facing humanity and help design the agricultural systems of the future. In addition to working with a fun team, we offer competitive compensation, insurance benefits, and flexible time-off.

InnerPlant provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.