Space IR Vision Systems Engineer – Real-Time Tracking

Exploration Technology Group; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Exploration Technology Group is seeking a hands-on Vision Systems Engineer to own the detection, tracking, and target discrimination software for a space-based IR sensing program. You will develop real-time pipelines on embedded hardware, integrating with simulations and hardware-in-the-loop tests.

The role emphasizes Kalman filters, multi-target tracking, CNN classifiers for discrimination, and MATLAB/Python/C++ development for production deployment in demanding space environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field; advanced degree preferred for senior roles.
• 5+ years in IR sensor systems or space-based imaging, defense experience preferred.
• Strong background in state estimation, tracking, and data association.

Responsibilities

• Own vision software stack for autonomous terminal guidance on embedded space hardware.
• Develop detection, tracking, state estimation, and discrimination pipelines.
• Train lightweight CNN classifiers for real-time embedded inference.
• Integrate algorithms into IR scene simulations and hardware-in-the-loop validation.
• Collaborate with electronics teams on ROIC interfaces and high-speed data paths.

Skills

Kalman filters

Multi-target tracking

Data association

Real-time embedded inference

Image processing

Python programming

C++ production deployment

Machine learning inference

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Software/Electrical/Optical/Physics/Aerospace Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C++

FPGA

GPU acceleration

Job description

Exploration Technology Group is seeking a hands-on Vision Systems Engineer to own the detection, tracking, and target discrimination software for a space-based IR sensing program. You will develop real-time pipelines on embedded hardware, integrating with simulations and hardware-in-the-loop tests.

The role emphasizes Kalman filters, multi-target tracking, CNN classifiers for discrimination, and MATLAB/Python/C++ development for production deployment in demanding space environments.