Sensor Characterization Engineer

Zeromatter Technologies Inc; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Zeromatter in Mountain View, CA seeks a Sensor Characterization Engineer to bridge real-world sensors with digital twins in our simulation platform. You will craft high-fidelity sensor models, develop novel characterization methods, and influence autonomous systems perception through physics-based modeling and software tools.

You will work with cameras, LiDARs, and radars, applying signal processing, lab instrumentation, and calibration software to deliver quantitative model validation.

Qualifications

• Experience with cameras, lidars or radars.
• Hands-on experience building, testing and debugging lab equipment and sensing hardware.
• Knowledge of signal processing for sensor types (camera ISP, radar DSP).
• Foundational engineering principles for sensing systems (optical/RF).
• Ability to work with incomplete information and make sound technical decisions.
• Proficiency in Python for data analysis, testing, and automation.
• Excellent technical communication to diverse audiences.
• Bonus: experience with non-visible systems (SW/LW IR, UV, Radar).
• Bonus: developing custom measurement/calibration software.
• Bonus: familiarity with EMVA-1288 standard for camera characterization.
• Bonus: OpenCV and computer vision principles.
• Bonus: optical design software such as Zemax or CodeV.
• Bonus: computer graphics rendering.
• Bonus: Rust programming experience.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with customers to gather specifications for lenses, imaging sensors, ISPs, lidars and radars.
• Use in-house hardware and software tools to characterize and simulate sensors.
• Conduct testing and validation with quantitative results to demonstrate model accuracy.
• Apply measurement and system identification techniques to derive missing parameters.
• Translate complex technical concepts to stakeholders.

Skills

Cameras

Lidars

Radars

Lab equipment

Signal processing

Optical RF engineering

Problem solving

Python scripting

Technical communication

Non-visible systems

Calibration software

EMVA-1288

OpenCV

Zemax/CodeV

Graphics rendering

Rust

Tools

Python scripting

Job description

As a Sensor Characterization Engineer at Zeromatter, you'll bridge the gap between real-world sensors and their digital twins in our simulation platform. You'll work at the intersection of physics, signal processing, and software to create high-fidelity sensor models that push the boundaries of simulation accuracy. This role offers the unique opportunity to engineer complex simulated sensor systems, develop novel characterization methodologies, and directly influence how the next generation of autonomous systems perceive their environment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with customers to gather and analyze detailed specifications for lenses, imaging sensors, ISPs, lidars, and radars.

• Utilize in-house tools, both hardware and software, to characterize and simulate sensors.

• Conduct comprehensive testing and validation, providing quantitative results where needed to demonstrate model correctness.

• Apply measurement and system identification techniques to derive missing system parameters when data is incomplete.

• Communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience with at least one of cameras, lidars, or radars.

• Hands-on experience building, working with, and debugging custom laboratory equipment and sensing hardware.

• Comprehensive knowledge of signal processing for chosen sensor type (e.g. camera ISPs, radar DSPs)

• Foundational knowledge of engineering principles for chosen sensing systems, such as optical or RF engineering.

• Proven ability to work effectively with incomplete information and make sound technical decisions.

• Proficiency in Python scripting for data analysis, testing, and automation.

• Excellent technical communication skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts for various audiences.

• Bonus: Experience working with non-visible systems (SW/LW IR, UV, Radar).

• Bonus: Experience developing custom measurement or calibration software.

• Bonus: Familiarity with relevant standards, such as EMVA-1288 for camera characterization.

• Bonus: Knowledge of OpenCV and computer vision principles.

• Bonus: Experience with optical design software (Zemax, CodeV, or similar for chosen sensor).

• Bonus: Experience with computer graphics rendering.

• Bonus: Rust programming experience.