GIS / Spatial Modeling Specialist

About SkySafe

SkySafe is the leader in drone detection and airspace intelligence, delivering unmatched visibility into drone activity. As the only company offering advanced drone detection, deep analytics, and forensics, SkySafe enables organizations to detect, analyze, and act on drone activity with precision in real‑time.

Its cloud‑based SaaS platform provides comprehensive drone data, helping distinguish between authorized drones and potential threats. By transforming complex drone data into actionable insight, SkySafe empowers organizations to act with clarity and confidence and provides the intelligence needed for smarter decision‑making and safer skies.

About the Role

SkySafe is seeking a highly motivated GIS / Spatial Modeling Specialist to join our team in San Diego, CA. This role plays a critical part in developing high‑quality geospatial products that support wireless sensor coverage modeling, network planning, and airspace awareness. The position exists to ensure that SkySafe’s detection capabilities are grounded in accurate, defensible, and repeatable spatial analysis.

As a GIS / Spatial Modeling Specialist, you will design and maintain operational procedures for GIS mapping and spatial modeling, transforming complex geospatial and RF data into clear, actionable visual outputs. Your work will directly support engineering, operations, and proposal efforts, helping SkySafe deliver precise drone detection solutions that protect people, infrastructure, and communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop high‑quality GIS maps and spatial analyses to model and visualize wireless sensor coverage areas
• Create and run geospatial propagation and coverage models incorporating elevation, terrain, building height, land use, and environmental variables
• Analyze satellite imagery, near‑earth imagery, RF data, and other geospatial datasets to support optimal sensor placement and network planning
• Integrate, manage, and validate spatial datasets to produce accurate and defensible planning outputs and recommendations
• Produce polished graphical deliverables, including maps, diagrams, and visualizations, for internal planning and external proposals
• Support proposal development by creating GIS‑based figures, maps, and written technical descriptions that clearly communicate methodologies and results
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and project management teams to translate technical requirements into spatial models and visual outputs
• Ensure GIS data accuracy, documentation, and repeatability of modeling methodologies
• Compare modeled coverage results with real‑world or predictive data to continuously improve spatial modeling approaches

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Science or a related technical field
• 4–6 years of professional experience in GIS, geospatial analysis, spatial modeling, or a related discipline
• Strong proficiency with GIS software platforms, particularly QGIS
• Strong proficiency with Python for geospatial analysis and automation
• Experience producing publication‑quality maps and visualizations for proposals, reports, and presentations
• Strong technical writing skills with experience contributing to proposals, planning documents, or engineering reports
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to communicate complex spatial concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences

Nice‑to‑Have

• Experience modeling wireless or sensor coverage areas, including line‑of‑sight, propagation, and terrain‑based analysis
• Familiarity with RF data, network planning, or sensor deployment modeling
• Experience working with satellite or near‑earth imagery
• Exposure to defense, security, aviation, or critical infrastructure domains

Within 1 Month, You Will

• Complete onboarding and gain a deep understanding of SkySafe’s mission, products, and operational workflows
• Learn SkySafe’s existing GIS datasets, modeling tools, and documentation standards
• Begin contributing to GIS mapping tasks and supporting ongoing projects

Within 3 Months, You Will

• Independently develop spatial models and coverage analyses for active projects
• Produce high‑quality maps and visualizations used in internal planning and external proposals
• Collaborate closely with engineering and operations teams to refine modeling assumptions and outputs

Within 6 Months, You Will

• Own and maintain key GIS workflows and modeling methodologies
• Improve modeling accuracy through comparison with predictive and real‑world coverage data
• Contribute significantly to proposal efforts with defensible GIS analysis and documentation

Within 12 Months, You Will

• Lead complex spatial modeling efforts supporting major deployments or customer engagements
• Help define best practices and operational procedures for GIS and spatial modeling at SkySafe
• Serve as a subject matter expert for geospatial analysis across teams and projects

Why Join Us?

Competitive salary and benefits, including full health coverage, unlimited PTO, and flexible work hours

A supportive and innovative team environment that values collaboration and creativity

The chance to deliver high‑impact solutions, contributing to the success of a small, fast‑moving team where your work will make a tangible difference

If you're excited about the prospect of pushing the boundaries of what's possible in an entirely new industry, then SkySafe might be right for you!

We do not work with outside staffing agencies

This position requires access to technology, materials, software or hardware that is controlled by US export laws. In order to be eligible for this position, you must be a US person under US export laws or, eligible for approval for a U.S. Government export license. A US Person includes a US citizen, lawful Permanent Resident, refugee or asylee.

Compensation range $85,000 – $110,000

Our salary ranges are based on paying competitively for our size and industry. Salary is just one part of our total compensation package that includes equity, perks & benefits, and development opportunities at SkySafe. Individual pay decisions are based on several factors, including qualifications for the role, experience level, skillset, geography, and balancing internal equity relative to other SkySafers.