Team Lead Calibration and Validation (m/f/d)
The Mission
The Calibration and Validation (Cal/Val) Team Lead is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and scientific integrity of Level 0-2 data products derived from our sensors (n = 18). This role leads scalable end-to-end calibration and validation processes, monitors instrument performance, and ensures data quality meets the highest technical and operational standards.
In addition to driving technical excellence, the Cal/Val Lead plays a key role in developing and mentoring a high-performing team, fostering individual growth, technical mastery, and collaboration across agile teams. The position requires creating an environment that supports learning, continuous improvement, and shared ownership of outcomes.
Externally, the Cal/Val Lead represents the company in strategic industry collaborations and workshops, including NASA’s Joint Agency Commercial Imagery Evaluation (JACIE), VH-RODA, the ESA Mission Performance Cluster (MPC), and partnerships with USGS and NASA. The role also contributes to commercial success by delivering data quality reports, leading customer-focused studies, and translating technical insights into actionable value for clients.
What you’ll be doing
Strategic Calibration & Validation Oversight
- Achieve 100% validation of key data products with at least two external reference partners (e.g., NASA, ESA, CSDA) by end of 2025.
- Direct in-house and customer-partnered calibration and validation campaigns for 18+ sensors, including campaign design, execution, and performance review.
- Deliver scientifically validated quarterly data quality reporting. Generate reusable technical documentation and datasets to support technical data product development and commercialization of our data.
- Drive implementation of automated Cal/Val workflows to reduce manual workload by 50%, ensuring scalable and repeatable processes across missions.
- Establish Observability on quality for our main data products: L1 Radiance/BT, L2 Active Fire and L2 LST.
- Maintain robust reference datasets (e.g., moon, ground sites, deep space) and lead quality assurance processes to meet industry standards.
- Publish, present, and represent Cal/Val excellence at top-tier forums (e.g., JACIE, VH-RODA) ,
- Lead the creation of peer-reviewed publications to support onboarding, presales, and industry education.
- Maintain and build high-stake partnerships with scientific and commercial stakeholders.
- Lead and mentor the Calibration & Validation (Cal/Val) Team in a matrix organization, empowering individuals to grow as technical experts and collaborative team members.
- Support personal and professional development through regular feedback, coaching, and alignment with career goals.
- Guide team members working across SCRUM teams to deliver high-quality contributions to both product and project work.
- Facilitate alignment across teams, helping individuals connect their work to broader organizational goals.
Relevant Skills
Proven track record of functional people leadership, managing technical teams for 2+ years with clear ownership of team development and delivery.
Advanced degree in Data Science, Remote Sensing, Physics, or related field.
3+ years of hands-on experience in calibration and validation of remote sensing data products.
Successfully led cross-functional projects from planning to execution.
Excellent communicator, able to clearly present complex technical topics to executives and global industry experts.
Active contributor to leading industry forums, including NASA JACIE and VH-RODA.
Preferred Skills:
Over 6 years of industry experience, or Ph.D. in a relevant field combined with at least 4 years of industry experience.
Expertise in thermal Earth observation data and instrumentation.
Published work in peer-reviewed journals on remote sensing data calibration and validation.
Proven experience coordinating with space agencies and commercial partners.
Our Benefits
- Virtual shares for all permanent employees (VSOP=Virtual Share Option Program)
- Company pension scheme (bAV = Betriebliche Altersversorgung)
- Company accident insurance for all employees (insurance for accidents during work and leisure time around the world 24/7)
- Flexible working hours and home office option (including working from other countries)
- Corporate health benefit via Wellpass Subscription
- Free Deutschland ticket
- Discount on lunch meals
- Company bike via JobRad
- Modern office in Neue Balan with a wonderful pool and campus area