Senior Tracking Software Engineer, Space

Slope; California (MD); On-site; USD 191,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive health, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement savings plan with company match

Generous paid time off

Flexible work arrangements

Equity grants

Job summary

Slope is seeking a Senior Tracking Software Engineer to lead the development of advanced tracking algorithms for space situational awareness. The role involves designing multi-target tracking systems and collaborating with software teams to transition algorithms into production.

The ideal candidate will possess 8+ years of relevant experience, a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field, and an active U.S. Secret security clearance. This position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in tracking algorithm development for aerospace or defense.
• Active U.S. Secret security clearance required.
• Strong communication skills to present technical concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering and algorithm development for space tracking.
• Design and implement advanced object tracking algorithms.
• Mentor engineers and collaborate on software integration.

Skills

Tracking algorithm development

MATLAB

Python

C++

State estimation techniques

Systems engineering

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Monte Carlo analysis

Modeling and simulation workflows

Job description

About Anduril Industries

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company transforming U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI‑powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center.

About the Team

The Space team is dedicated to expanding our AI‑powered capabilities into the final frontier, enhancing Space Domain Awareness, Space Control, and Command and Control for U.S. military and allied partners. We develop fully integrated hardware and software systems, including Lattice for Space Missions and modular payloads, to address growing threats in space.

About the Job

Senior Tracking Software Engineer – Foothill Ranch, CA. Lead the development of advanced 2D and 3D tracking algorithms that maintain custody of space objects, processing sensor detections and messages into actionable tracks for space situational awareness missions. Architect and implement sophisticated multi‑target tracking systems, develop physics‑based models, mentor engineers, and collaborate with software teams to deploy algorithms into operational systems.

What You’ll Do

• Lead systems engineering and algorithm development tasks supporting space and missile defense tracking missions.
• Architect and implement advanced object tracking and state estimation algorithms, including track initiation, maintenance, correlation, and termination.
• Design and evaluate multi‑target tracking and multi‑sensor fusion approaches for EO/IR, RF, or hybrid sensor architectures.
• Lead the implementation of advanced data association techniques including JPDA, MHT, nearest neighbor, and track‑to‑track fusion methods.
• Drive innovation in data association techniques, exploring novel approaches and optimizations for complex operational scenarios.
• Build sophisticated physics‑based models and conduct modeling and simulation, including Monte Carlo analysis, recorded sensor playback, and hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing to validate tracking performance.
• Lead performance analysis, trade studies, and simulation‑based assessments of tracking robustness under challenging conditions.
• Collaborate with and mentor software engineers to transition tracking algorithms from MATLAB/Python prototypes to production C/C++ code optimized for real‑time operational systems.
• Drive the systems engineering lifecycle including requirements decomposition, trade studies on tracking approaches, verification and validation planning, and design reviews.
• Lead technical documentation efforts and present at design reviews and customer engagements.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert for tracking systems, advising program leadership on algorithm performance, risks, and opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Active U.S. Secret security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical, Computer, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience designing, implementing, and testing multi‑target tracking algorithms for aerospace, defense, or autonomous systems.
• Demonstrated technical leadership in tracking algorithm development, including mentoring and serving as a subject matter expert.
• Deep expertise with state estimation techniques, including Kalman Filters (EKF, UKF), IMM filters, and multi‑target tracking concepts.
• Proven experience developing algorithms that handle track initiation, maintenance, correlation, and termination in operational systems.
• Expert proficiency in MATLAB and/or Python, with experience transitioning algorithms to C++ for production deployment.
• Extensive experience with modeling, simulation, and testing workflows, including Monte Carlo analysis and hardware‑in‑the‑loop environments.
• Strong collaboration skills with software engineers, systems engineers, and test teams to integrate tracking algorithms into operational systems.
• Excellent communication skills with experience presenting technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in tracking algorithm development for defense or aerospace applications.
• Experience in missile defense or space systems; EO/IR or RF sensors; kill vehicles, interceptors, or countermeasures.
• Extensive experience handling challenging tracking scenarios such as track fragmentation, ghost tracks, sensor outages, and high‑clutter environments.
• Deep familiarity with real‑time system constraints, embedded systems, or edge compute optimization.
• Demonstrated experience leading efforts within the systems engineering design cycle, including requirements decomposition, trade studies, V&V, and design reviews.
• Experience with MBSE tools (Cameo, Rhapsody, DOORS).
• Experience with advanced tracking techniques such as Random Finite Set methods, PHD filters, or machine learning‑enhanced tracking.
• Publication record in peer‑reviewed journals or conferences related to tracking, state estimation, or sensor fusion.
• Experience briefing and interfacing with government customers (DoD, IC, or similar).
• Track record of delivering tracking solutions into operational systems or fielded products.

Salary Range

$191,000 – $253,000 USD

Benefits

• Competitive health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Generous paid time off and flexible work arrangements.
• Equity grants as part of total compensation package.