Tracking Software Engineer, Space

Anduril Industries; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 166,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grants

Health coverage

Recovery benefits

Job summary

Anduril Industries seeks a Tracking Software Engineer in Costa Mesa, CA, to develop advanced tracking algorithms for space situational awareness. This role involves designing multi-target tracking systems, processing sensor detections, and collaborating with software teams to integrate algorithms into operational environments.

The ideal candidate holds a related technical degree and has over 5 years of experience in algorithm development, utilizing MATLAB, Python, and C++. With a focus on state estimation techniques and data association methods, you will support critical missions for the U.S. military.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in designing multi-target tracking algorithms.
• Experience with Kalman Filters and tracking system integration.
• Familiarity with Monte Carlo analysis and hardware-in-the-loop testing.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement 2D/3D tracking algorithms for space situational awareness.
• Collaborate with software teams to deploy algorithms into operational systems.
• Conduct performance analysis and simulation-based assessments.

Skills

Tracking algorithms

State estimation

Data association methods

MATLAB

Python

C++

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related technical field

Tools

Kalman filtering

Modeling and simulation

Job description

Company Overview

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform 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. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting‑edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

Space Team

Anduril's 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 and ensure our Guardians maintain a decisive advantage in this contested war‑fighting domain.

Position

We are looking for a Tracking Software Engineer to join our rapidly growing team in Costa Mesa, CA. In this role, you will develop 2D and 3D tracking algorithms that maintain custody of space objects, process sensor detections and messages into actionable tracks for space situational awareness missions, and design and implement multi‑target tracking systems using advanced state estimation and data association techniques. You will also develop physics‑based models to validate performance and collaborate with software teams to deploy your algorithms into operational systems. The role requires deep expertise in tracking algorithms, state estimation (Kalman filtering), data association methods (JPDA, MHT), proficiency in MATLAB, Python, and C++, and experience with modeling and simulation.

Responsibilities

• Perform systems engineering and algorithm development tasks supporting space and missile defense tracking missions
• Design and implement advanced object tracking and state estimation algorithms, including track initiation, maintenance, correlation, and termination
• Develop and evaluate multi‑target tracking and multi‑sensor fusion approaches for EO/IR, RF, or hybrid sensor architectures
• Implement advanced data association techniques including JPDA, MHT, nearest neighbor, and track‑to‑track fusion methods
• Build 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
• Conduct performance analysis, trade studies, and simulation‐based assessments of tracking robustness under challenging conditions (maneuvering targets, clutter, countermeasures, degraded sensing)
• Collaborate with software engineers to transition tracking algorithms from MATLAB/Python prototypes to production C/C++ code optimized for real‑time operational systems
• Support the systems engineering lifecycle including requirements decomposition, trade studies on tracking approaches, verification and validation planning, and design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR)
• Prepare technical documentation and briefings for design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and customer engagements

Required Qualifications

• Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or related technical field
• 5+ years of experience designing, implementing, and testing multi‑target tracking algorithms for aerospace, defense, or autonomous systems
• Strong theoretical and practical experience with state estimation techniques, including Kalman Filters (EKF, UKF), multi‑target tracking concepts, and Interacting Multiple Model (IMM) filters
• Experience developing tracking algorithms that handle track initiation, maintenance, correlation, and termination in operational systems
• Proficiency in algorithm development using MATLAB and/or Python with demonstrated experience transitioning algorithms to C++ for production deployment
• Experience with modeling, simulation, and testing workflows including Monte Carlo analysis, sensor data playback, or hardware‑in‑the‑loop environments
• Ability to work collaboratively with software engineers, systems engineers, and test teams to integrate tracking algorithms into operational systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related technical field
• Experience in one or more of the following domains: missile defense or space systems; EO/IR or RF sensors; kill vehicles, interceptors, or countermeasures
• Experience handling challenging tracking scenarios including track fragmentation, ghost tracks, sensor outages, and high‑clutter environments
• Familiarity with real‑time system constraints, embedded systems, or edge compute optimization
• Demonstrated experience working within the systems engineering design cycle, including requirements decomposition and traceability, algorithm design and trade studies, verification and validation, and documentation and design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR)
• Experience with MBSE tools (Cameo, Rhapsody, DOORS)

Salary Range

$166,000—$220,000 USD

Benefits

• Competitive equity grants included as part of the total compensation package
• Top‑tier benefits for full‑time employees, including health coverage, recovery benefits, and more, available at little to no cost to employees
• Supportive work environment and comprehensive benefits package to ensure employees are supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next