Senior Space Surveillance Engineer, Sensor Development & Image Processing

Slingshot Aerospace

5h•Remote

About The Position

At Slingshot Aerospace, we're on a mission to make space safer and more secure for everyone. Our work directly impacts global security, disaster response, climate monitoring, and the critical infrastructure that connects our world. We're a team of builders, thinkers, and problem-solvers who believe that the next generation of space operations will be powered by better data and smarter software. We move fast, we're not afraid to fail, and we believe the best ideas can come from anywhere—whether you're in engineering, sales, product, or operations. If you want to work on something that truly matters, with people who care deeply about the impact we're making and help shape the future of an industry that's just getting started, you're in the right place. As a Senior member of Space Surveillance Research and Development (R&D) technical staff, you will take a lead role advancing Slingshot’s efforts to accelerate the security, safety, and sustainability of space through the detection, tracking, identification, and characterization of satellites and space debris. This role includes a specialization in real-time image processing and GPU-accelerated systems, with a strong emphasis on the design and development of space surveillance sensor systems across the Global Sensor Network. This work will include a subset of: (i) designing and developing sensing systems for space surveillance applications; (ii) development of software and hardware interfaces for ground- and space-based gimbaled and non-gimbaled sensor systems; (iii) development of state-of-the-art real-time detection, calibration, and mount control algorithms; (iv) modeling, simulation, and analysis of sensor network capabilities; and (v) development of robust software to autonomously operate remote observatories in GPU-accelerated environments.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy, or a related field, or equivalent experience
7+ years of relevant experience, including experience with real-time image processing and/or sensor system development
Strong programming experience in C++ and Python
Experience developing and deploying applications in GPU-accelerated environments, including use of CUDA
Experience with PyTorch or similar frameworks for high-performance or machine learning applications
Background in signal processing, algorithm design, and linear algebra
Experience with image calibration and working with space-based or sensor coordinate systems
Experience contributing to the design, development, or integration of sensor systems
Ability to design, implement, and optimize real-time processing pipelines
Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to varied audiences
Ability to travel up to 5% domestically and internationally as needed
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree in a relevant technical field or equivalent experience
Advanced experience optimizing GPU-based systems for real-time performance
Experience with embedded or edge computing systems for sensor platforms
Experience with astrodynamics, estimation theory, or space domain awareness applications
Experience integrating software with optical or mechanical sensing systems
Familiarity with distributed sensor networks and autonomous observatory operations
Experience working in early-stage or high-growth environments
Experience contributing to research, publications, or advanced technical proposals

Responsibilities

Execute all responsibilities in alignment with Slingshot’s mission, purpose, and values
Lead and contribute to the design, development, and integration of space surveillance sensor systems across the Global Sensor Network
Perform system-level design, simulation, and integration of hardware and software components for advanced space surveillance systems
Design and implement real-time image processing pipelines in GPU-accelerated environments
Develop algorithms and software for sensor data tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination
Apply signal processing and image calibration techniques to improve detection and tracking performance
Develop and optimize C++ and Python (including PyTorch) applications for high-performance computing environments
Support transitions of Slingshot’s products and services to the Slingshot Global Sensor Network (SGSN), space operations centers, and other testbeds
Engage with customers and stakeholders to support mission-critical outcomes
Contribute to product strategy and technical direction through subject matter expertise
Prepare technical reports and briefing materials
Present technical work to internal and external stakeholders
Serve as a technical expert in space surveillance, sensor development, and real-time processing systems
Lead execution of individual and small team technical efforts and contribute to larger cross-team initiatives
Mentor team members and share subject matter expertise
Lead technical contributions to proposals and new business efforts
Champion internal research and development initiatives
Perform other duties as assigned (less than 10% of responsibilities listed above)