Perception Engineer, Missile Defense

True Anomaly•Denver, CO

8d•Onsite

About The Position

True Anomaly is seeking a Perception Engineer to architect and deploy perception systems for space-based missile defense. The role develops algorithms that interpret multi-band infrared and visible imagery to detect, track, and discriminate objects in space, including in sunlight, shadow, and scenes with Earth in the background. The work applies physics-based understanding of radiometry, thermal behavior, optics, and detector effects to make perception results trustworthy. The engineer owns the perception stack end to end, from phenomenology and algorithm design through software- and hardware-in-the-loop validation and integration into flight software. Systems must maintain custody of multiple closely spaced objects through occlusions and maneuvers, and run on space-qualified processors within strict power and timing budgets. The position is onsite and intended for candidates based near Denver, Colorado, or Long Beach, California.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in physics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer science, or a similar discipline.
Experience with C/C++ and Python.
At least 2 years of experience implementing image-processing, detection, and tracking algorithms deployed in real-world systems.
Working knowledge of radiometry and infrared phenomenology.
Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and solve complex problems using first-principles approaches.
Passion for spaceflight and advancing capabilities related to missile defense and space security.
U.S. citizenship and eligibility for a DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master's or PhD in physics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a similar discipline.
Experience with missile defense or EO/IR sensor programs.
Deep technical expertise in one or more of the following: EO/IR phenomenology and signature modeling, radiometric calibration, thermal modeling, focal-plane array characterization (NUC, noise, bad pixels), or nonlinear filtering and multi-object tracking (JPDA, MHT, IMM).
Experience with IR scene generation and sensor simulation, and validating algorithms against measured data.
At least 2 years of professional experience writing high-reliability, production C/C++ code.

Responsibilities

Drive architecture for image-processing, multi-object tracking, and discrimination pipelines for space-based missile defense.
Design and implement multi-band EO/IR image processing in C++, including non-uniformity correction, radiometric calibration, band registration, frame stacking, adaptive detection, and PSF photometry.
Develop physics-based features from the thermal and optical signatures of objects.
Model signature phenomenology, including solar and Earth illumination, thermal response through sunlight and eclipse, viewing geometry, glints, and optics and detector effects.
Design robust tracking for many closely spaced objects.
Perform statistical analysis to characterize and verify algorithm performance, including Monte Carlo campaigns and error budgets.
Test and verify algorithms in software- and hardware-in-the-loop simulation with high-fidelity scene generation.
Work with the software team to integrate algorithms into flight software.

Benefits

100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee and dependents, with HSA/HRA options.
Flexible Time Off for exempt employees.
Accrued PTO of up to 25 days for non-exempt employees.
12 paid holidays.
Parental Leave.
Sick Leave.
Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees.
401(k) retirement plan.
Fitness reimbursement.
Dog Fridays.
Equity participation as part of total compensation.