Pieter-Jan Baeck
Senior R&D Professional
Pieter-Jan holds an MSc in Electromechanical Engineering with a specialization in Maritime Technology, as well as an MSc in Applied Informatics at Ghent University. He has also completed Postgraduate Studies in Weather and Climate Modeling (Ghent University), courses in Machine Learning (Stanford University) and Technologies for Earth Observation from Microsatellites (Steinbeis University Berlin). Additionally, he has pursued ICT and Project Management programs at Vlerick Business School.
His professional experience spans a wide range of activities, including modeling ship behavior (Ghent University), conducting various nautical studies (Flanders Hydraulics Research), and developing satellite mission planning software for the INTEGRAL astrophysical gamma-ray mission (European Space Astronomy Centre, ESA). He has also contributed to measuring the Earth's energy balance using ESA’s MSG meteorological mission (Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium) and worked in business development for a location intelligence provider (Retailsonar).
In addition, Pieter-Jan played a pivotal role in shaping the success of a fixed-wing drone manufacturer (Gatewing/Trimble) and holds a drone pilot license.
Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.
At VITO, Pieter-Jan brings extensive expertise in processing ground-based, drone, airborne, and spaceborne data from various instruments, including LiDAR, hyperspectral and thermal sensors. He is actively involved in projects that drive sustainable development, including efforts to combat illegal fishing and to promote the reuse of solar panels. Pieter-Jan also leads infrastructure-related applications for major clients like Fluxys and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, bridging the gap between technological innovation, business development and operational implementation.
