Aerospace Engineer

Terra Pixel, LLC; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Terra Pixel, LLC is seeking an experienced embedded software engineer to develop and maintain C++ applications for UAVs and flight management systems. You will work with our computer vision team to enhance navigation capabilities, tune Kalman filters, and support flight tests and data analysis. A U.S.

Secret security clearance is required, with travel up to 25%. The role emphasizes collaboration across software, systems, and test teams to deliver mission-ready capabilities in GPS-denied

Qualifications

• Active U.S. Secret security clearance required.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related engineering/science field.
• 5+ years of embedded software design and testing in aerospace/defense.
• Strong Kalman filter experience and algorithm development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain C++ application code for UAVs and flight systems.
• Interface software with flight controllers and management systems.
• Tune and improve the extended Kalman filter (EKF).
• Collaborate with computer vision to enhance product capabilities.
• Support flight tests, lab work, simulations, and data analysis.
• Travel up to 25% for customer and partner engagements.

Skills

Security clearance

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelors in EE/CS/CE/AE/Math/Physics

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

C++

Python

Kalman Filters

Job description

Company Description Terra Pixel provides advanced Alternative Position Navigation and Timing (APNT) solutions that support reliable aircraft navigation in contested EW environments. The organization focuses on technologies that enhance safety, resiliency, and precision for aviation and aerospace applications. Terra Pixel’s work centers on developing innovative navigation systems that complement or back up traditional GPS-based methods. Team members collaborate across engineering disciplines to deliver robust, mission-critical software and hardware solutions for the Washington DC–Baltimore Area and beyond.

Do you thrive on solving hard challenges in a small team of bright motivated engineers?Does delivering mission capability matter to you? Does experimenting with drones of all sizes excite you?Terra Pixel has a state of the art computer vision navigation system purpose built for flying in GPS contested EW environments.We are now integrating that solution into all kinds of UAVs.We’re looking to expand our team with additional talented engineers to help expand our product capabilities and to solve the complexities of navigation for autonomous flight with a variety of flight controllers.

If you like developing mission ready C++ code, developing and tuning Kalman filters, and are interested in learning or expanding your computer vision skills, apply for this position.We want to talk to you!

Job Functions

• Develop and maintain C++ application code
• Develop software interfaces with various flight controllers for UAVs and flight management systems for manned platforms
• Tune and improve core extended kalman filter (EKF)
• Work directly with our computer vision team to improve and expand overall product capabilities
• Support customer and partner technical exchange meetings
• Develop and execute lab, simulation and flight test plans
• Support flight tests and demonstrations
• Analysis of flight log data
• Job may require up to 25% travel

Required Qualifications

• Currently possess and able to maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics or related field
• 5+ years of experience designing, implementing, and testing embedded software for aerospace, defense, or autonomous systems
• Strong theoretical and practical experience with state estimation techniques, including Kalman Filters (EKF)
• Proficiency in algorithm development Python with demonstrated experience transitioning algorithms to C++ for production deployment
• Ability to work collaboratively with software engineers, systems engineers, and test teams to integrate new capabilities into operational systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with edge computer platforms, particularly NVIDIA Jetson including CUDA code employment
• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related technical field
• Experience in one or more of the following domains: EO/IR or RF sensors, aviation and/or avionics, or UAV flight controller software
• Experience with modeling, simulation, and testing workflows including Monte Carlo analysis, sensor data playback, or hardware-in-the-loop environments
• Bonus points if you’re an FAA certified private or commercial pilot or a FAA Part 107 pilot