Imagery Analyst

Imagery Analyst

SatCen - European Union Satellite Centre

Madrid, Spain

Type and duration of contract: Permanent post, 4 years, with possibility of renewal
Work unit: Operations Division
Reporting to: Head of Operations Division
Grade: B5 of the Coordinated Organisations salary scale
Grade Range: B3-B6 of the Coordinated Organisations salary scale
Monthly basic salary: Between 4856.17 € at step 1, and 5176.73 € at step 3 in grade B5. The final grading upon recruitment depends on the relevant work experience. This basic salary will be supplemented, where applicable, by various allowances (see point 7 below).
Place of employment: Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid), Spain
Deadline for applications: 18/05/2026 at 17:00 hours (CEST)

The European Union Satellite Centre:

The European Union Satellite Centre (SatCen) supports the decision making and actions of the European Union in the field of Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), in particular Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), including European Union crisis management missions and operations, by providing products and services resulting from the exploitation of relevant space assets and collateral data, including satellite imagery and aerial imagery and related services.

SatCen is a decentralised agency of the EU working under the supervision of the Political and Security Committee and the operational direction of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The Centre was founded in 1992 as a Western European Union body and incorporated as an agency into the European Union on 1 January 2002.

SatCen offers challenging and rewarding careers to enthusiastic, motivated and highly skilled people who want to work within an international environment and contribute to the vision of this organisation.

The seat of SatCen is in Torrejón de Ardoz, in the vicinity of Madrid, Spain.

Main Responsibilities:

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.

Requirements:

1. Eligibility criteria:

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 B2¹), 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.

In addition, candidates must:

• 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.

2. Selection criteria:

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.

Qualifications and experience:

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 competencies:

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.

Application procedure:

Candidates are required to check carefully whether they meet all the eligibility criteria, particularly concerning the required types of diplomas and professional experience, before submitting their application form.

All applications must be submitted in English.

For applications to be valid, candidates shall use the SatCen e-recruitment platform by following the link to the vacancy. No applications can be accepted by any other means of submission.

Part-time work will be considered in proportion to the percentage of full-time hours worked; therefore, candidates are requested to indicate the percentage of part-time employment. PhDs may be counted as professional experience if the candidates received a study grant or salary during the time of their PhD studies. The maximum duration counted for PhD is three years provided that the PhD has been successfully concluded by the closing date for applications of the selection procedure.

The top candidates (number of the shortlisted candidates scoring above the threshold to be set by the Selection Board) will be invited for an interview and/or written test. Therefore, candidates are recommended to give evidence of their knowledge referring to specific examples and/or detailed professional experience in their application form in order to be evaluated in the best possible way. For that purpose, candidates are requested to be as detailed and as clear as possible in the description of their professional experience and specific skills and competences.

Supporting documents (e.g. certified copies of degrees/diplomas, references, proof of experience, etc.) should not be sent at this stage but must be submitted at a later stage of the procedure upon request of the SatCen.

Due to the high number of applications received in each selection procedure, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing date for applications:

The closing date for application is 18/05/2026, 17:00, (CEST) (please check possible time zone differences).

SatCen will disregard any application sent after the deadline. Applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the last day to submit their applications, since heavy internet traffic or poor internet connection could lead to difficulties during submission. SatCen cannot be held responsible for any delay due to such difficulties.

Selection procedure:

All applicants will automatically receive acknowledgement of receipt of their application.

A preliminary test may be held as part of the evaluation process. Short-listed candidates may proceed then to be assessed against the eligibility and the essential and desirable selection criteria. The most suitable candidates may be invited for an interview and a written test by the Selection Board. The final evaluation of the candidates will be based on the information provided by the candidates in their application form and their performance.

The Selection Board will propose a list of successful candidates (reserve list) to the Director, who will make the final decision.

Due to the volume of applications only short-listed candidates will be contacted and may be called for an interview and a written test. All short-listed candidates will be informed of the outcome of the procedure.

All applications are treated fairly. Applicants will be assessed based on their qualifications and in strict compliance with the principle of equal opportunities in order to have the best possible match between the profile of the candidate and the requirements of the job.

Under no circumstances should candidates contact the Selection Board, directly or indirectly, concerning this recruitment. SatCen reserves the right to disqualify any candidate who would disregard this instruction.

Contract and remuneration:

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.

Successful candidate(s) who will be offered a contract of employment will, on their entry into service, be placed in grade B5, and step 1, 2 or 3 depending on the length of their relevant professional experience. The basic monthly salaries in the different grades and steps of the Coordinated Organisations salary scale are published on the SatCen website.

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.

Equal opportunities:

The salary is subject to a community tax deducted at source and exempt of national taxation.

SatCen applies a zero-tolerance policy towards any forms of discrimination, disrespectful or sexist behaviour.

SatCen is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from all candidates without any distinction whatsoever on grounds of nationality, age, race, ethnic origin, political, philosophical or religious conviction, gender or sexual orientation and regardless of disabilities, marital status or other family situation.

SatCen recruitment is a competitive process, based on the merits of candidates and the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination. In line with this approach and with the desire to improve the gender balance among SatCen staff, female candidates are encouraged to apply and compete for this position.

Disabled candidates are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability or medical condition that may hinder your ability to sit the interview or written test, please indicate this in your application and let us know the type of special arrangements you need.

SatCen staff members are recruited on the broadest possible geographical basis from among nationals of all Member States of the European Union.

Data Protection:

SatCen ensures that candidates’ personal data are processed as required by Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (Official Journal of the European Union L 295, 21 November 2018, p. 39–98).

Unless indicated otherwise, any personal data will be processed solely for the purpose of the recruitment procedure. Details concerning the processing of personal data in recruitment procedures are available in this privacy statement.

Any data provided will be treated in the strictest confidence and with high standards of security.

Appeals:

The appeal procedure is reflected in Chapter VIII, Art. 28 of SatCen Staff Regulations, also published on the SatCen website.

If an applicant considers having been adversely affected by a particular decision, a complaint can be lodged under Article 28 of the SatCen Staff Regulations, to the following address:

SatCen
Base Aérea Torrejón de Ardoz
Avenida de Cádiz, Edificio 457
28850 Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain

The complaint must be lodged within three (3) months. The time limit for initiating this type of procedure starts from the time the applicant is notified of the act adversely affecting him/her.

¹ According to the Common European Framework of References for Languages: https://www.coe.int/en/web/portfolio/self-assessment-grid.