Senior Payloads Engineer, Imaging Systems

True Anomaly•Denver, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

A new space race has begun. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build innovative technology that solves the next generation of engineering, manufacturing, and operational challenges for space security and sustainability. OUR MISSION The peaceful use of space is essential for continued prosperity on Earth—from communications and finance to navigation and logistics. True Anomaly builds innovative technology at the intersection of spacecraft, software, and AI to enhance the capabilities of the U.S., its allies, and commercial partners. We safeguard global security by ensuring space access and sustainability for all. OUR VALUES Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together YOUR MISSION True Anomaly is seeking a talented and experienced Senior Imaging Systems Engineer to join our Payloads team, reporting to the Electro-Optical Systems Engineering Manager. In this role, you will be the technical authority for the camera, focal plane, and sensing element design of our EO/IR imaging systems, spanning visible, near-IR, and infrared wavelength bands. You will own the full signal chain from photon collection through detector readout, data transfer, and electrical design — ensuring our imaging payloads deliver the performance, reliability, and affordability needed for operational spacecraft. You bring deep hands-on expertise in focal plane array technologies, detector electronics, and imaging system characterization, and you thrive in a fast-paced environment where you can take ownership and drive results from concept to on-orbit operation.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field (Master's preferred)
5+ years of professional experience in electro-optical system design with a focus on cameras, focal plane arrays, and detector electronics
Hands-on experience with visible, near-IR, and/or IR detector technologies (CCD, CMOS, InGaAs, MCT, or similar)
Experience with focal plane readout electronics, detector interface design, and analog signal chain development
Experience with high-speed digital data interfaces and image data transfer architectures
Strong understanding of radiometric analysis and electro-optical system performance modeling
Familiarity with SWaPC-constrained payload design for spacecraft applications
Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Nice To Haves

Experience with embedded firmware development for camera and focal plane control electronics
Experience developing test software for EO system characterization and validation
Familiarity with on-board memory management and image storage architectures
Experience with hyperspectral imaging sensor design, calibration, and data processing
Familiarity with space-qualified or radiation-tolerant detector and focal plane technologies
Experience with cryogenic or thermoelectric cooling systems for IR detector applications
Experience working in a fast-paced, startup environment or a similarly dynamic setting

Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, integration, and testing of camera systems and focal plane assemblies for visible, near-IR, and infrared imaging payloads
Own the electrical design of detector readout electronics, focal plane interface circuits, and associated analog and digital signal chains
Define and execute detector and focal plane characterization campaigns, including noise, responsivity, linearity, and dark current measurements
Design and optimize high-speed data transfer architectures from focal plane to downstream processing and storage
Develop and maintain image data management approaches, including on-board image storage, buffering, and downlink prioritization
Perform radiometric and electro-optical system modeling to predict and validate on-orbit imaging performance
Collaborate with optical, mechanical, and systems engineering teams to ensure seamless payload integration and performance compliance
Support integration and test activities, including environmental testing, calibration, and on-orbit commissioning
Develop and maintain documentation including design specifications, test plans, analysis reports, and operating procedures
Contribute to continuous improvement of EO engineering processes and practices