Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
4+ years of experience in building perception, tracking, or targeting systems on real hardware.
Hands-on experience with object detection, multi-object tracking, and sensor fusion.
Experience writing control laws or closed-loop tracking based on perception outputs.
Proficiency in C++ and Python, along with libraries like OpenCV and PyTorch.
Experience deploying models on embedded GPUs or AI accelerators.
Ability to manage projects end-to-end in small teams.
Responsibilities
Build perception pipelines to detect and track objects in orbit using onboard sensors.
Fuse data from cameras, LiDAR, and radar for accurate target state estimates.
Develop algorithms and control laws for selecting aimpoints and commanding the pointing system.
Create autonomous path planning for spacecraft positioning relative to targets.
Deploy and optimize AI models on embedded hardware for real-time operations.
Model engagements and sensor performance using STK and custom simulation tools.
Calibrate sensors and manage timing, alignment, and latency across the targeting loop.
Benefits
Pioneer targeting for the first high-energy laser in space.
Fully remote work opportunity.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees, with subsidized family plans.
Meaningful equity in an early-stage startup.
Collaborate with experienced founders in space hardware development.
Relocation support as the company grows.
Full Job Description
Perception Targeting Engineer - Build the Sensing and Targeting Software That Tells a Space-Based Laser Where to Look
Remote (U.S.)
Opportunity Summary
Join a newly funded space and defense startup building the first spacecraft to carry a high-energy laser into orbit. As a Perception Targeting Engineer, you will turn camera, LiDAR, and radar data into an accurate picture of the space around the spacecraft, then write the targeting and control logic that puts the laser where it needs to go.
This role spans space domain awareness, sensor fusion, autonomous path planning, and targeting control laws. Very few people have done targeting work in space, so we want engineers who have built real-time perception and targeting on the ground, in the air, or underwater and are ready to take it to orbit. This is a fully remote role open to candidates anywhere in the U.S.
Job Duties
Build perception pipelines that detect, track, and characterize objects in orbit from onboard cameras and other sensors.
Fuse camera, LiDAR, and radar data into reliable target state estimates for space domain awareness.
Develop targeting algorithms and control laws that select aimpoints and command the pointing system.
Create autonomous path planning that positions the spacecraft relative to targets.
Deploy and optimize vision and AI models on embedded AI compute hardware for real-time operation.
Model engagements and sensor performance in STK and custom simulation tools.
Calibrate sensors and own timing, alignment, and latency budgets across the targeting loop.
Work closely with GNC, flight software, and optics engineers to close the loop from sensing to pointing.
Validate algorithms through simulation, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and ground demonstrations.
Write production code in C++ and Python.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
4+ years building perception, tracking, or targeting systems deployed on real hardware.
Hands-on experience with object detection, multi-object tracking, and sensor fusion.
Experience writing control laws or closed-loop tracking that act on perception outputs.
Proficiency in C++ and Python, plus OpenCV, PyTorch, or similar libraries.
Experience bringing up models on embedded GPUs or AI accelerators, including unfamiliar hardware.
Comfort owning work end to end on small teams, from algorithm to running hardware.
U.S. citizen or permanent resident, willing to obtain a security clearance.
Preferred Experience
Targeting, fire control, or acquisition, tracking, and pointing for directed energy or air defense systems.
Space domain awareness, rendezvous and proximity operations, or optical navigation.
Perception and autonomy for eVTOL aircraft, drones, ground vehicles, or underwater vehicles.
Targeted image processing, LiDAR, or radar signal processing.
STK modeling and analysis.
Master's or PhD in Computer Vision, Robotics, or a related field.
Why Join Us
Pioneer targeting for the first high-energy laser to operate in space.
Fully remote role.
No-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees, with subsidized family coverage.
Meaningful early-stage equity.
Work alongside founders who have designed, built, and launched complex space hardware.
Relocation support if company locations evolve as we grow.
