Perception Engineer, Missile Defense

trueanomalyinc; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 125,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Best-in-class healthcare: company-paid

FTO and 25 days PTO plus holidays

401(k) retirement plan

Parental Leave

Equity participation

Dog Fridays

Job summary

True Anomaly seeks a perception engineer to architect and deploy image processing, tracking and discrimination pipelines for space-based missile defense. You will implement multi-band EO/IR processing in C++, derive features from physics, and ensure end-to-end validation from phenomenology to flight software.

The role emphasizes rigorous testing in software- and hardware-in-the-loop, collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, and contribution to mission-level security initiatives in a highly

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physics, electrical or aerospace engineering, computer science, or a similar discipline.
• 2+ years of experience implementing image processing, detection and tracking algorithms.
• Working knowledge of radiometry and infrared phenomenology.
• U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Drive the architecture for the image processing, multi-object tracking and discrimination pipelines for space-based missile defense.
• Design and implement multi-band EO/IR image processing in C++: NUC, radiometric calibration and band registration.
• Develop physics-based features from first principles using thermal and optical signatures.
• Model phenomenology driving signatures including illumination, thermal response, viewing geometry and detector effects.
• Design robust tracking for many closely spaced objects.
• Perform statistical analysis to characterize algorithm performance including Monte Carlo campaigns and error budgets.
• Test and verify algorithms in software- and hardware-in-the-loop simulation with high-fidelity scenes; integrate into flight software.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Image processing

Tracking algorithms

Radiometry

IR phenomenology

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics, EE, aerospace, CS or similar

Master's or PhD preferred

Job description

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 let space-based missile defense see, track and tell apart objects in space. Your algorithms will turn multi-band infrared and visible imagery into a physical understanding of each object. They will do it in sunlight and shadow, with Earth in the background. The tracking filters you design will hold custody of many closely spaced objects through occlusion and maneuvers. The physics you put into these algorithms, from radiometry and thermal behavior to optics and detector effects, is what makes the answer trustworthy. You will own the perception stack end to end: from phenomenology and algorithm design, through software- and hardware-in-the-loop validation, to flight software that runs on space-qualified processors under strict power and timing budgets. This is perception engineering where mistakes have consequences, where your code operates in vacuum, and where the systems you build defend the United States and its Allies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drive the architecture for the image processing, multi-object tracking and discrimination pipelines for space-based missile defense
• Design and implement multi-band EO/IR image processing in C++: non-uniformity correction, radiometric calibration, band registration, frame stacking, adaptive detection and PSF photometry
• Develop physics-based features from first principles, from the thermal and optical signatures of each object
• Model the phenomenology that drives the signatures: solar and Earth illumination, thermal response through sunlight and eclipse, viewing geometry, glints, and optics and detector effects
• Design robust tracking for many closely spaced objects
• Perform statistical analysis to characterize and verify algorithm performance, including Monte Carlo campaigns and error budgets
• Test and verify your algorithms in software- and hardware-in-the-loop simulation with high-fidelity scene generation
• Work with the software team to integrate your algorithms into flight software

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in physics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer science, or a similar discipline
• Experienced with C/C++ and Python
• 2+ years of experience implementing image processing, detection and tracking algorithms deployed in real-world systems
• Working knowledge of radiometry and infrared phenomenology
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and solve complex problems with first principles approaches
• Passion for spaceflight and advancing capabilities related to missile defense and space security
• U.S. Citizen and eligible for DoD Secret or TS/SCI clearance

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's or PhD in physics, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a similar discipline
• Experience with missile defense or EO/IR sensor programs
• Deep technical expertise in one or more of the following: EO/IR phenomenology and signature modeling, radiometric calibration, thermal modeling, focal-plane array characterization (NUC, noise, bad pixels), nonlinear filtering and multi-object tracking (JPDA, MHT, IMM)
• Experience with IR scene generation and sensor simulation, and validating algorithms against measured data
• 2+ years of professional experience writing high-reliability, production C/C++ code

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,