Perception & Guidance Engineer - UAS (Aerospace Division)

STI•Hawthorne, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Systems Technology, Inc. (STI) is seeking a Perception & Guidance Engineer - UAS to join our Aerospace division, developing the vision-based targeting and terminal guidance algorithms behind our next-generation counter-UAS and interceptor platforms. You'll own the pipeline from raw camera frames to steering command — writing detection and tracking algorithms, building state estimation, and translating that into guidance laws that fly. This role sits at the center of our seeker and interceptor programs, working closely with embedded and systems engineering to get algorithms from bench to flight.

Requirements

2–4 years of professional experience in computer vision, guidance/navigation algorithms, or closely related controls/estimation work
Proficiency in Python and/or C++ for algorithm development
Working knowledge of computer vision fundamentals (detection, tracking, filtering — e.g., Kalman filter variants) and/or classical guidance laws
Strong problem-solving, analysis, and debugging skills
U.S. Person status required, as defined by ITAR (22 CFR 120.15), due to the export-controlled nature of this work

Nice To Haves

Experience with UAS, UAVs, drones, or RC aircraft, particularly vision-based targeting or collision avoidance
Experience deploying vision or estimation algorithms on embedded/constrained compute platforms
Familiarity with real-time image processing pipelines and global-shutter camera systems (e.g., AR0144-class sensors)
Familiarity with sensor fusion techniques and multi-target tracking
Familiarity with simulation environments for guidance/seeker performance evaluation
Familiarity with Git and modern software development practices

Responsibilities

Design and implement detection and tracking algorithms for dual-camera, gimbal-free visual seeker systems
Develop state estimation for target position, velocity, and confidence from visual sensor data, with an eye toward future sensor fusion (IMU, GPS, radar)
Design and tune guidance laws (e.g., proportional navigation and variants) for terminal-phase target intercept
Work with embedded engineers to ensure algorithms run in real time on size-, weight-, and power-constrained flight hardware (e.g., ModalAI VOXL 2 Mini class compute)
Define and validate the interface between perception/guidance outputs and downstream flight control and mission systems
Support hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop simulation to characterize algorithm performance before flight
Participate in flight testing, telemetry analysis, and post-flight debugging of guidance performance
Collaborate with GNC engineers to ensure guidance outputs are compatible with flight control system assumptions
Maintain code quality through version control, code review, and structured testing practices

Benefits

Medical benefits (HMO – 100% company paid for Employees & Dependents)
Dental and vision plans
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
401(k) Safe Harbor Retirement Plan and company defined contribution.
Flexible spending Accounts (FSA), Dependent Care, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Life & Long-Term Disability Insurance
Fitness Program Reimbursement and Technology Stipends
Tuition Assistance Programs
Year-round company sponsored events.
Employee rewards and recognition