Imagery Analyst

• Reference: SatCen/2026/005
• Unit: Operations Division
• Contract: Permanent

SatCen is seeking suitable candidates to cover the positions of Imagery Analysts within Operations Division and to establish a reserve list for the position. The Imagery Analyst will be responsible, amongst others, for the following duties:

• Task Planning and Execution: Assist the Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader to plan and oversee imagery analysis projects. Take responsibility for assigned tasks, ensuring adherence to quality standards and deadlines.
• Advanced Image Analysis and Data Processing: Conduct in-depth imagery analysis, processing and interpreting satellite, aerial and geospatial data. Deliver high-quality IMINT/GEOINT products and actionable insights derived from analysis.
• Geospatial Database Management: Assist in maintaining and updating geospatial databases, ensuring data is accurate, up to date and well-organised for efficient analysis.
• Reporting and Briefings: Prepare and provide clear and concise imagery analysis reports, presentations and briefings for internal and external stakeholders. Communicate analysis findings effectively.
• System and Software Proficiency: Demonstrate proficiency in imagery analysis tools and software to process data and generate reports.
• Support Process Optimisation: Contribute to refining workflows, methodologies and automation processes to improve efficiency and consistency in imagery analysis tasks. Identify opportunities for improvement and contribute to the OPS's ongoing technical development and improvement.
• Collaboration Across Teams: Support cross-functional projects and initiatives on imagery analysis and integration of other intelligence sources through inter and intra-divisional collaboration.
• Mentorship and Training Support: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior analysts, fostering their skill development and expertise. Actively contribute to the organisation by delivering internal training sessions.
• Additional Responsibilities: Take on additional tasks as needed to support the team, contributing to the successful execution of projects and achievement of goals.

Qualifications

Applications will be assessed based on the information provided by the candidates in their application form, and their performance against the following criteria: Only applications meeting all the essential selection criteria will be assessed.

• Essential:
• Education: Completed secondary education attested by a diploma, giving access to higher education.
• Experience: Minimum ten years of professional experience as an imagery analyst, GIS specialist or a role-related job, in the defence, security, intelligence or
• humanitarian/ peacekeeping fields.

Desirable:

• Education: Any job-related studies, such as geospatial intelligence, remote sensing, IMINT, would be an asset.

Skills and Competences

• Essential:

• Imagery Analysis: Proficient in analysing and interpreting data from a variety of imaging sensors and platforms, including EO/IR, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and multispectral imagery. Skilled in conducting assessments of military, civilian and environmental infrastructure and activities, identifying complex patterns and changes over time, to provide actionable intelligence and valuable insights.
• Data Analysis and Integration: Proficient in applying analytical techniques to interpret and synthesise information from a variety of sources, integrating imagery data into comprehensive reports and actionable intelligence.
• Software Proficiency: Expert in tools, such as ArcGIS, ENVI and other imagery and vector exploitation tools.
• Report Writing, Briefing and Communication: Proficient in producing clear, concise and actionable intelligence reports and delivering effective briefings.
• Team Collaboration: Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in team settings, including contributing to joint outputs and managing differing perspectives.
• Commitment and Reliability: Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, follow through on assigned tasks and deliver work to agreed standards.
• Proactive Mindset: Ability to identify potential issues and propose practical solutions without being prompted.
• Continuous Improvement: Demonstrated commitment to improving work processes, outputs or analytical quality over time.

• Desirable:

• SatCen Procedures: Knowledge of SatCen Operations Division methodologies, procedures and workflows.
• Standards: Working knowledge of relevant standards applicable to SatCen Operations (e.g. MGCP, STANAG 3596/ AIntP-21, ATP-26).
• Software Proficiency and Programming languages: Familiarity with advanced tools such as ArcGIS Portal and web applications, as well as geospatial programming languages such as GDAL, Python and ArcPy.
• Geospatial Data Management: Skilled in handling geospatial databases, including data schemas and executing data processing tasks.

All essential and desirable criteria are evaluated to identify the most suitable candidates.

Eligibility

To be considered eligible, candidates must satisfy all of the following eligibility criteria by the closing date for submitting applications

• Have a level of education equivalent to post-secondary education, such as a diploma of higher education or an equivalent qualification (EQF 5).
• Be a national of one of the Member States of the European Union and enjoy their full rights as citizen.
• Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the laws concerning military service.
• Produce evidence of a thorough knowledge of English (at least level B2 ), the working language of SatCen, and of a satisfactory knowledge of another official language of the EU to the extent necessary for the performance of their duties.
• Hold a security clearance at least at the level of EU SECRET or equivalent. In case the successful candidate is not in possession of such a clearance at the time of submitting their application form, SatCen will request it, and no appointment will be fully confirmed until the security clearance has been received by the competent national authority. In addition, and during the selection procedure, candidates will need to declare any particular circumstances which could be in conflict with the performance of their duties at SatCen.
• Be physically fit to perform their duties. Prior to the appointment the successful candidate will be medically examined to fulfil the requirement of Article 6 of SatCen Staff Regulations.

As SatCen is located at an air force base outside Madrid, with limited public transport access to the base entrance and no public transport within the base itself, a driving licence is highly desirable. It is the responsibility of all staff members to get to the office by their own means.

Conditions

Successful candidate(s) may be offered a contract as a permanent staff member in accordance with SatCen Staff Regulations, for an initial period of 4 (four) years, renewable.

In addition to the basic monthly salary, the following benefits might apply

• Additional specific allowances (e.g. expatriation up to 18% of the salary, household, dependent child, education, installation), depending on the individual’s family situation and the place of origin.
• Flexible work arrangements (such as part-time work, flexible working hours, teleworking, home leave) under certain conditions.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Annual leave entitlement of 30 days.
• Maternity/paternity leave and parental leave under certain conditions.
• Private Medical Insurance Scheme enabling access to worldwide medical care.
• Defined-benefit pension scheme, with right to a retirement pension accrued after 10 years of service.