Senior Space Surveillance Engineer

Slingshot Aerospace

7d • $150,000 - $250,000 • Remote

About The Position

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 via the detection, tracking, identification, and characterization of satellites and space debris. This work will include a subset of (i) designing sensing systems for space surveillance applications; (ii) development of software/hardware interfaces for ground- and space-based gimbaled and non-gimbaled sensor systems, (iii) development of state-of-the-art 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.

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 a U.S. citizen eligible for and able to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Nice To Haves

• Graduate level degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy, or a related field
• Significant experience developing and debugging applications in Python and/or C++ with deployment experience in a Linux operating environment
• Experience in optics or mechanical system component design and assembly
• Training or experience in fields such as image processing, algorithm optimization, software/hardware interfacing, embedded/GPU development, astrodynamics, estimation theory, statistical analysis, remote sensing, radiometry, and machine learning
• Early-stage startup experience

Responsibilities

• Execute all position responsibilities in alignment with Slingshot’s core values, mission, and purpose
• Perform system-level design, simulation, and integration of hardware components to create cutting-edge space surveillance systems
• Develop algorithms and software to help automate and enhance sensor data tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination
• Support ongoing and future transitions of Slingshot’s products and services to the Slingshot Global Sensor Network (SGSN), space operations centers, and other technology testbeds
• Engage with customers and stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes for their mission-critical needs
• Contribute your expertise and ideas to help shape our products and strategies
• Prepare technical reports and briefing materials
• Represent your team and Slingshot to a broader audience through presentations to customers and stakeholders
• Serve as a technical expert and key contributor to Slingshot’s space surveillance technology development.
• Lead the successful execution of individual projects, small team projects, and/or product development activities
• Share subject matter expertise through mentoring and training of other staff
• Take point in writing technical sections of proposals for winning new work
• Lead technical work on larger team efforts including cross-team initiatives
• Ideate and champion internal research & development activities
• Perform other duties as assigned (to be less than 10% of the responsibilities listed above)
• Must be a U.S. citizen eligible for government clearances

Benefits

• Equity, Diversity & Inclusion are key to our success. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds, who share a passion for creating a safer, more connected world. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity, but also national origin, citizenship, sex, color, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic that is part of one’s identity. All of our employees’ points of view are key to our success, and we embrace individuality.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior