Sr. Image Scientist

Department: Product Design Services
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports to: PDS Operations Manager
Pay Range: $93,000 - $125,000 annually
Location: Rochester, NY (onsite)
The Role:

D3 Embedded is seeking an experienced and innovative Senior Image Scientist to join our engineering team. In this senior-level role, you will lead the end-to-end development, optimization, and validation of advanced imaging systems, with deep ownership of camera calibration, ISP tuning, algorithm development, and image quality analysis. The Senior Image Scientist plays a critical role in shaping imaging architecture, guiding technical strategy, and ensuring delivery of high-performance embedded imaging solutions.

This position requires hands-on expertise with embedded camera platforms, including hardware bring-up, driver configuration, and real-time system verification. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional engineering teams and customers, providing technical leadership, influencing design decisions, and driving continuous improvement across products and processes.

The Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of the imaging chain including sensor and camera calibration, optics, ISP tuning, algorithm development, analysis, verification and validation, and technical customer support.
• Own development and optimization of embedded camera systems and ISPs running on real-time operating systems or Embedded Linux on custom electronics.
• Provide senior-level technical execution for hardware bring-up, driver and application-level configuration testing, imaging system verification, and system-level debugging.
• Oversee camera module calibration, characterization, unit testing, image quality evaluation, and troubleshooting across multiple product lines.
• Serve as a technical authority, providing direction and leadership for complex engineering programs and acting as a key technical liaison with customer engineering teams and program managers.
• Support and influence project planning efforts including task scoping, work estimation, and risk identification.
• Develop and evaluate engineering plans, criteria, and best practices for major projects and guide implementation across the team.
• Perform development and testing in an advanced electronics and imaging laboratory environment.
• Work with embedded Linux platforms, open-source Linux, associated SDKs, and hardware development kits such as NVIDIA, TI, and Intel.
• Lead the design and development of camera interface boards and related tools.
• Identify, develop, and deploy tools, methodologies, and processes that improve analysis capabilities, design reuse, and overall engineering efficiency.
• Provide technical oversight through design reviews, architecture evaluations, and quality assessments. Document and present results from analyses, experiments, and system-level evaluations to internal teams and customers.
• Mentor and coach less experienced engineers, co-ops, and interns; promote a culture of technical excellence and knowledge sharing.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Perform other duties as assigned.

The Right Person Will Have:

• 5+ years of relevant industry experience in imaging systems, embedded vision, or related fields.
• Bachelor of Science in Imaging Science, Computer Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline-or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven expertise in problem solving, debugging, and innovative technical thinking.
• Strong ability to read schematics and troubleshoot digital hardware using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and related tools.
• Experience writing embedded device drivers and debugging embedded platforms.
• Solid understanding of embedded software/firmware development, including C and C++.
• Advanced experience with Embedded Linux platforms, BSP configuration, kernel drivers, and device tree implementation.
• Experience with GIT version control and GCC/GNU toolchains.
• Demonstrated experience with embedded camera systems, video pipelines, and image processing (highly desirable).
• A self-driven, proactive approach with the ability to influence system-level architectural decisions.
• Strong technical leadership skills with the ability to guide teams and drive alignment across stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with customers and present complex technical concepts clearly.

The Benefits:

• Competitive total compensation
• Medical and dental coverage
• Employer paid basic life, short-term disability, and identity theft coverage
• Voluntary vision, life, long-term disability, accident, critical illness coverage
• 401k retirement contribution
• Paid holidays, time-off, and sick time
• Tuition assistance and employer paid professional development
• Flexible work schedules
• Remote opportunities available
• Complimentary snacks and beverages
• Employer sponsored social events

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. D3 Embedded does not sponsor visas. For more information about D3 Embedded, please visit www.d3embedded.com.