Perception & Guidance Engineer - UAS (Aerospace Division) New Hawthorne, CA

Systems Technology, Inc.; Hawthorne, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental and vision plans

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

401(k) Safe Harbor Retirement Plan

Flexible spending Accounts (FSA)

Job summary

Systems Technology Inc. is seeking a Perception & Guidance Engineer for UAS in Hawthorne, CA. You will own perception to guidance pipelines, developing vision-based targeting and terminal guidance for counter-UAS platforms.

The role collaborates with embedded and systems engineering to move algorithms from bench to flight, with on-site work in Hawthorne/Los Angeles and a compensation package that includes base pay, bonus, and ESOP.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years in computer vision or guidance/navigation algorithms.
• Proficiency in Python and/or C++.
• Familiarity with Kalman filter variants and tracking.
• U.S. Person status per ITAR due to export-controlled work.
• On-site in Hawthorne/LA; no remote work.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement detection and tracking for visual seeker systems.
• Develop state estimation from visual data, incl. future sensor fusion.
• Design and tune guidance laws for terminal intercept.
• Ensure real-time performance on constrained flight hardware.
• Define interfaces between perception/guidance and flight controls.
• Support HIL and SIL simulations; participate in flight testing.
• Collaborate with GNC to ensure compatibility.
• Maintain code quality with version control and testing.

Skills

Python

C++

Computer Vision

Kalman Filtering

Problem Solving

Tools

Git

Job description

Perception & Guidance Engineer - UAS (Aerospace Division)

Hawthorne, CA

About the Role

Systems Technology, Inc. (STI) is seeking a Perception & Guidance Engineer - UAS to join our Aerospace division, developing the vision-based targeting and terminal guidance algorithms behind our next-generation counter-UAS and interceptor platforms. You'll own the pipeline from raw camera frames to steering command - writing detection and tracking algorithms, building state estimation, and translating that into guidance laws that fly. This role sits at the center of our seeker and interceptor programs, working closely with embedded and systems engineering to get algorithms from bench to flight.

What You'll Do

• Design and implement detection and tracking algorithms for dual-camera, gimbal-free visual seeker systems
• Develop state estimation for target position, velocity, and confidence from visual sensor data, with an eye toward future sensor fusion (IMU, GPS, radar)
• Design and tune guidance laws (e.g., proportional navigation and variants) for terminal-phase target intercept
• Work with embedded engineers to ensure algorithms run in real time on size-, weight-, and power-constrained flight hardware (e.g., ModalAI VOXL 2 Mini class compute)
• Define and validate the interface between perception/guidance outputs and downstream flight control and mission systems
• Support hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop simulation to characterize algorithm performance before flight
• Participate in flight testing, telemetry analysis, and post-flight debugging of guidance performance
• Collaborate with GNC engineers to ensure guidance outputs are compatible with flight control system assumptions
• Maintain code quality through version control, code review, and structured testing practices

Minimum Qualifications

• 2-4 years of professional experience in computer vision, guidance/navigation algorithms, or closely related controls/estimation work
• Proficiency in Python and/or C++ for algorithm development
• Working knowledge of computer vision fundamentals (detection, tracking, filtering - e.g., Kalman filter variants) and/or classical guidance laws
• Strong problem-solving, analysis, and debugging skills
• U.S. Person status required, as defined by ITAR (22 CFR 120.15), due to the export-controlled nature of this work
• This is an on-site position based in Hawthorne / Los Angeles, CA; remote or hybrid work is not available

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with UAS, UAVs, drones, or RC aircraft, particularly vision-based targeting or collision avoidance
• Experience deploying vision or estimation algorithms on embedded/constrained compute platforms
• Familiarity with real-time image processing pipelines and global-shutter camera systems (e.g., AR0144-class sensors)
• Familiarity with sensor fusion techniques and multi-target tracking
• Familiarity with simulation environments for guidance/seeker performance evaluation
• Familiarity with Git and modern software development practices

Systems Technology Inc. offers all employees competitive pay along with a benefits package encompassing the following and more:

• Medical benefits (HMO - 100% company paid for Employees & Dependents)
• Dental and vision plans
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 401(k) Safe Harbor Retirement Plan and company defined contribution.
• Flexible spending Accounts (FSA), Dependent Care, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Life & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Fitness Program Reimbursement and Technology Stipends
• Tuition Assistance Programs
• Year-round company sponsored events.
• Employee rewards and recognition

Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.

At Systems Technology Inc. (STI) we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent that possesses the skills and leadership necessary to grow our business. For this position we are targeting a total compensation pay between $109,600 - $139,880. This is inclusive of base pay, performance bonus and ESOP. The actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

U.S. Person status required, as defined by ITAR (22 CFR 120.15), due to the export-controlled nature of this work. No agency candidates considered.

STI is An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age or any other federally protected class.