Staff Systems Engineer – Imaging & Vision for Smart Transit

Hayden AI; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 185,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Hayden AI in San Francisco is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to lead the end-to-end design, integration, and deployment of advanced camera systems for transit and government applications.

You will own architecture, requirements, and system-level design across hardware and software, partnering with hardware, software, operations, and field teams. This hybrid role requires 3+ days in-office weekly at the SF office and offers a path to impact smarter, safer cities.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of lens design fundamentals and optical aberrations.
• Hands-on experience with image sensors, ISPs, and image tuning.
• Expert with automotive CMOS image sensors and sensor vendors.
• Familiar with sensor interfaces GMSL, MIPI, CSI.
• Proficiency in C, Python, MATLAB for data analysis and IQ evaluation.
• Ability to read schematics and use lab equipment such as IR meters and lux meters.
• Experience automating image characterization and ISP tuning.
• MS or PhD in Science or Engineering with 8–10 years of relevant space experience.

Responsibilities

• Define camera architecture with product, camera design and perception teams.
• Specify image sensor and lens requirements.
• Refine camera software with ISP tuning and vendor collaboration.
• Evaluate CMOS image sensors based on performance metrics.
• Define specifications for lenses and assemblies.
• Source lens parts and perform MTF testing and stray light analysis.
• Match sensor and lens for optimal FOV.
• Collaborate with vendors to design protective cover glass.
• Develop testing to characterize sensor performance and image quality.
• Lead camera system integration into test vehicles and collect real-world data.
• Analyze field data to diagnose image quality issues.
• Collaborate with software engineers to tune auto-exposure and auto-white balance.
• Work with firmware team to validate camera drivers.

Skills

Lens design fundamentals

CMOS image sensors

ISPs

GMSL/MIPI/CSI

C

Python

MATLAB

Imatest

Image tuning

Automotive electronics

Education

MS or PhD in Science or Engineering

Tools

IR meters

Lux meters

Light boxes

Job description

Hayden AI in San Francisco is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to lead the end-to-end design, integration, and deployment of advanced camera systems for transit and government applications.

You will own architecture, requirements, and system-level design across hardware and software, partnering with hardware, software, operations, and field teams. This hybrid role requires 3+ days in-office weekly at the SF office and offers a path to impact smarter, safer cities.