R&D Professional AI for Earth Observation

VITO develops technology to facilitate the transition to a more sustainable society and economy. One of the key technologies applied in this context is Remote Sensing. The Remote Sensing Unit of VITO celebrated last year its 25th anniversary but Remote Sensing has never been more fascinating than today. With the increasing number of satellites, drones, processing facilities and technologies like artificial intelligence, the opportunities with remote sensing are larger than ever. Meet the team: The Applied GeoAI and Embedded Solutions (AGES) team develops robust AI-driven solutions that power remote sensing, environmental monitoring, and security applications worldwide. The AI Engineer will work on a variety of applications in the fields of environmental monitoring and security, utilizing the latest AI technologies to develop solutions that address the unique challenges and opportunities of each domain. We offer a challenging and dynamic work environment, with opportunities for personal and professional development. If you are passionate about AI and want to make a difference in the field of Earth Observation, please apply for this position. What’s the job about? Develop and implement AI algorithms and techniques for Earth Observation applications, ranging from prototypes to pre-operational workflows. Work in a multidisciplinary team with experts in EO, GIS, computer science, and engineering to design, develop, and test AI solutions. Collaborate with international R&D and industrial partners and customers from the European Space Agency, European Commission, federal and regional governments and companies. Keep up to date with the latest advances in AI, computer vision, machine learning, and deep learning techniques and apply them in innovative ways to solve EO problems Develop and apply multi-modal learning techniques to integrate data from various sources such as optical, SAR, hyperspectral and thermal data, IOT and textual information. Contribute to the coordination and management of R&D projects, including planning activities, following up on progress and deliverables, and coordinating with project partners and customers. Communicate results and progress to team members, partners, and customers in a clear and concise manner We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled AI Engineer to work in an applied research context in the field of Earth Observation. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in engineering, mathematics, or science, and will be passionate about keeping up to date with the latest state-of-the-art in AI, such as foundation models, multi-modal learning, generative and agentic AI. MSc. degree in engineering, mathematics, computer science, or a related field Strong programming skills in Python Hands-on experience with AI/ML frameworks such as PyTorch and with state-of-the-art AI models, including foundation models and multi-modal architectures Ability to learn new concepts and technologies quickly and apply them in innovative ways to solve problems Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with partners from different cultural and technical backgrounds Experience in EO or GIS domain is a plus Experience in project management or coordinating collaborative R&D projects with multiple partners is a plus Strong communication skills in English, both written and verbal Offer We work 'activity-based', our activities bring us to our location. Our headquarter is in Mol. Part-time working from home or a satellite office in Antwerp-Berchem, Genk, Leuven or Ostend is possible. A competitive salary with a range of benefits, including allowances, insurance and a modular package of holidays. Innovation is our asset, so it goes without saying that we give our employees the opportunity to take additional training courses and stay up-to-date in their field. You will always have the opportunity to broaden your knowledge and discover new technologies. You will have the opportunity to be part of an organization with an international reputation, known for its cutting-edge technological research and scientific consultancy. With us, you will contribute directly to sustainable developments at local, national and global level through your innovative applications. You provide answers to contemporary societal challenges. Moreover, we highly value a good work-life balance at VITO! This is achieved by adopting a flexible attitude depending on your specific needs. Additional note for the vacancy: A NATO security clearance is required for this position and will be part of the onboarding process.