Application Guide

How to Apply for Scientific Data Systems Engineer

at Carbon Mapper

🏢 About Carbon Mapper

Carbon Mapper is unique as a non-profit organization specifically focused on tracking and reducing 80% of global methane and CO2 emissions using remote sensing technology. Their mission-driven approach combines cutting-edge science with tangible environmental impact, making it an ideal workplace for engineers who want their technical skills to directly address climate change. The organization collaborates with NASA, Planet, and other partners to create actionable emissions data.

About This Role

This Scientific Data Systems Engineer role involves designing and maintaining data pipelines that process remote sensing data to detect and quantify methane and CO2 emissions. The position is impactful because your systems will directly feed the Carbon Mapper Data Portal, enabling governments, companies, and researchers to identify and reduce emissions sources. You'll translate scientific requirements into technical solutions that help achieve the company's ambitious goal of tracking 80% of global emissions.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve optimizing Python algorithms for methane plume detection from satellite imagery, collaborating with atmospheric scientists to refine emission quantification methods, and ensuring data pipelines reliably process new remote sensing data for the Carbon Mapper Data Portal. You'd likely participate in stand-ups with interdisciplinary teams, troubleshoot cloud infrastructure issues, and contribute to system architecture decisions that support scalable emissions tracking.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Carbon Mapper Is Looking For

  • Has hands-on experience with remote sensing data formats (like NetCDF, HDF, GeoTIFF) and processing pipelines for satellite or aerial imagery
  • Demonstrates proficiency in Python data stack (NumPy, SciPy, pandas, xarray) and cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure) for geospatial workflows
  • Understands system architecture for scientific data portals and can implement algorithms for emission detection and quantification
  • Thrives in interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists (who define detection algorithms) and engineers (who implement scalable solutions)

📝 Tips for Applying to Carbon Mapper

1

Highlight specific experience with remote sensing data processing tools (GDAL, rasterio, ENVI, or similar) in your resume

2

Mention any work with methane/CO2 data, atmospheric science, or emissions quantification algorithms if applicable

3

Describe a project where you built or optimized a data pipeline for scientific or geospatial data

4

Research and reference Carbon Mapper's specific technologies (like their partnership with Planet's satellite constellation)

5

Demonstrate understanding of their mission by explaining how your skills contribute to tracking 80% of global emissions

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with scientific data systems and how it applies to remote sensing emissions data', 'Specific examples of building reliable data pipelines for research or operational use', "How you've collaborated with scientists/researchers to translate requirements into technical solutions", "Why Carbon Mapper's mission to reduce methane and CO2 emissions resonates with you personally"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Carbon Mapper's Data Portal and the types of emissions data they currently provide
  • → Their partnerships with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Planet, and other organizations
  • → The specific remote sensing technologies they use (like imaging spectrometers) and their satellite timeline
  • → Recent news about their work identifying methane super-emitters or contributing to policy decisions

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk through your experience designing a data pipeline for processing remote sensing or geospatial data
2 How would you ensure data quality and reliability for a public-facing data portal like Carbon Mapper's?
3 Describe your approach to optimizing algorithms for detecting emissions from satellite data
4 How have you collaborated with scientists or researchers in previous roles?
5 What cloud infrastructure and tools would you use to handle petabyte-scale remote sensing data?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with only generic data engineering experience without mentioning remote sensing, geospatial, or scientific data systems
  • Not demonstrating understanding of Carbon Mapper's specific mission to track methane and CO2 emissions (not just general climate work)
  • Failing to show how you work in interdisciplinary environments with scientists and researchers

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Carbon Mapper!

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