Senior Software Engineer - Perception

Lunar Outpost; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health coverage

Paid time off: 3 weeks vacation

401(k) plan with employer match

Parental leave

Educational reimbursement opportunities

Job summary

Lunar Outpost, based in Golden, CO, is seeking a Senior GNC Engineer – Sensors to lead the Sensor team in developing cutting-edge navigation and control systems for lunar rovers. This role focuses on implementing sophisticated sensing solutions that enable autonomous operations on the lunar surface.

Ideal candidates will have at least 5 years of experience in sensor development, a relevant bachelor’s degree, and strong communication skills. The position offers competitive compensation, comprehensive health coverage, and a collaborative work environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in sensor development and integration.
• Experience with sensing modalities: stereo/mono cameras, LiDAR, radar, etc.
• Strong understanding of time synchronization and calibration methods.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Sensor team for autonomous operations in lunar environments.
• Architect and own the sensing stack from design to integration.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to optimize sensing architectures.

Skills

Sensor development

Autonomous systems

Data processing

Signal processing

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace, or related field

Tools

LiDAR

ROS

Sensors

Job description

Are you passionate about shaping the future of humanity's presence in space? Lunar Outpost, an industry leader in space robotics, invites you to join our team! Lunar Outpost is dedicated to creating a sustainable presence in space, while also driving positive impacts here on Earth. We are seeking a talented, experienced Senior GNC Engineer – Sensors.

As the lead of our Sensor Team, you will play a pivotal role in developing cutting‑edge autonomous navigation and control systems for our lunar rovers. Working at the intersection of autonomy, robotics, and space exploration, you will lead the design, development, and implementation of sophisticated sensing solutions that enable our rovers to operate independently on the lunar surface. Your work will not only contribute to groundbreaking missions but also to technologies that have the potential to benefit humanity on Earth. Collaborating with cross‑disciplinary engineering teams, you'll bring your expertise to solve complex challenges and define the future of lunar surface mobility in a fast‑paced startup environment.

Take the #NextLeap with Lunar Outpost and work on the Pegasus LTV, which will carry NASA astronauts farther than they've ever been before on the lunar surface!

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for the Sensor team, enabling autonomous operations in challenging lunar environments
• Architect and own the sensing stack, from component selection and interface design to data processing pipelines and sensor fusion integration
• Lead the integration of sensor data into autonomous systems, including interfacing with localization, mapping, and planning subsystems
• Collaborate with systems, mechanical, electrical, and thermal engineering teams to integrate and optimize sensing architectures with rover hardware
• Evaluate sensor performance in simulation and field tests; identify and resolve hardware/software integration issues
• Define and enforce sensor hardware mounting standards, interfacing, and environmental constraints
• Own vendor relationships, component procurement, and hardware bring up
• Mentor junior engineers and promote a culture of technical excellence and innovation

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher in Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace, or related field
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in sensor development and integration for autonomous or robotic systems
• Demonstrated experience with one or more sensing modalities: stereo/mono cameras, LiDAR, radar, IMUs, encoders, etc.
• Expertise in low‑level data handling, sensor drivers, and middleware (ROS, cFS, etc.)
• Strong understanding of time synchronization, coordinate transformations, and calibration methods
• Self‑motivated, focused, and driven to meet critical deadlines
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• U.S. Person

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. field relevant to sensing or perception, with research or projects directly applicable to autonomous navigation or robotics
• Familiarity with spaceflight or safety‑critical sensor integration practices, in extreme, unstructured environments (NASA Class A, DO-160, MIL‑STD‑810)
• Experience designing or deploying sensor fusion algorithms (e.g., EKF, EUF, factor graphs)
• Background in real‑time perception or SLAM systems on embedded hardware
• Demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and communicate effectively across different engineering domains

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation level and base salary are competitively structured and thoughtfully determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, education, and the scope of the role.

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits, with 70% of premiums covered by the employer
• Paid time off: Three (3) weeks per year of vacation
• Retirement plan: Up to 4% employer match on 401(k) contributions
• Paid holidays: 11 company‑recognized holidays
• Parental leave
• Educational reimbursement opportunities to support company objectives, continued learning, and career development

Lunar Outpost Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Lunar Outpost Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employees, including executives and human resources personnel, are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and treat others with dignity and respect in accordance with this policy.