Perception Engineer

True Anomaly; Laguna Beach (CA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Flexible time off

Lunch and snacks

Equity participation

Parental leave

Fitness reimbursement

Job summary

True Anomaly, Inc. is hiring for perception engineering to architect and deploy autonomous spacecraft perception systems. You will design algorithms for real-time satellite tracking, 3D geometry reconstruction, and threat detection using space-qualified processors with tight power budgets.

You will own end-to-end perception stack development, from algorithm design through hardware-in-the-loop validation to on-orbit operation, in a critical, space-domain security environment in the United States.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, robotics, or a similar discipline.
• Experienced with C/C++ and Python.
• 2+ years of experience with implementing perception and tracking algorithms deployed in real world systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and solve complex problems with first principles approaches.
• Passion for spaceflight and advancing capabilities related to space domain awareness and space security.
• U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Drive the architecture for the image processing, object tracking, and pose estimation pipelines for the next generation of Jackal spacecraft
• Design and implement robust perception, object detection, and tracking algorithms in C++
• Perform statistical analysis to support algorithm characterization and verification
• Test and verify your algorithms via software and hardware in the loop simulation
• Work with the software team to integrate your algorithms into flight software

Skills

C/C++

Python

Perception algorithms

Object tracking

SLAM

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's or PhD

Tools

RTOS

Hardware-in-the-loop

Job description

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

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.

BENEFITS & PERKS*

• Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, with HSA/HRA options
• Generous time off: Flexible Time Off (FTO) for exempt employees, accrued PTO of up to 25 days for non-exempt employees, plus 12 paid holidays; Parental Leave; Sick Leave
• Fuel for your day: Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees
• And more: 401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, and Dog Fridays
• Equity participation: Equity is included as part of our total compensation package, giving you an opportunity to share in the company’s success.

*Do not apply to fixed term and temporary roles

YOUR MISSION

You will architect and deploy the perception systems that enable autonomous spacecraft operations in contested environments. Your algorithms will track satellites during close-proximity rendezvous, reconstruct 3D geometry for inspection missions, and detect threats in real-time from on-orbit sensors. The neural networks you optimize will run on space-qualified processors with strict power budgets. The tracking filters you design will maintain custody through occlusions, tumbles, and adversarial maneuvers. Your work bridges cutting-edge perception research and flight-ready systems that operate autonomously for months without ground intervention. You will own the perception stack end-to-end: from algorithm design through hardware-in-the-loop validation to on-orbit operation. This is perception engineering where mistakes have consequences, where your code operates in vacuum, and where the systems you build secure the space domain for the United States and its Allies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drive the architecture for the image processing, object tracking, and pose estimation pipelines for the next generation of Jackal spacecraft
• Design and implement robust perception, object detection, and tracking algorithms in C++
• Perform statistical analysis to support algorithm characterization and verification
• Test and verify your algorithms via software and hardware in the loop simulation
• Work with the software team to integrate your algorithms into flight software

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, robotics, or a similar discipline
• Experienced with C/C++ and Python
• 2+ years of experience with implementing perception and tracking algorithms deployed in real world systems
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and solve complex problems with first principles approaches
• Passion for spaceflight and advancing capabilities related to space domain awareness and space security
• U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s or PhD in computer science, robotics, or a similar discipline
• 2+ years of professional experience writing high-reliability, production C/C++ code
• Deep technical expertise in one or more of the following: SLAM, nonlinear filtering, image processing, object detection, computer vision, pose estimation

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary: $125,000 - $270,000
• Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work Location— This is an onsite role, we are seeking only candidates based near Denver, CO or Long Beach, CA.
• Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know.

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