Systems Algorithm Engineer EO/IR

Compunnel

$130K — $155K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 14+ years of experience in EO/IR systems or relevant STEM area; Master's degree and 12+ years of experience; PhD with 10+ years of experience may suffice
  • Active U.S. Government Secret Clearance
  • Proven ability to lead engineering teams and manage customer interactions
  • Experience mentoring and developing junior engineers
  • Proficiency in Python and/or MATLAB
  • Knowledge of airborne and/or space-based EO/IR sensor systems
  • Strong analytical, leadership, and problem-solving skills

Responsibilities

  • Lead technical execution of advanced EO/IR R&D programs
  • Mentor junior and mid-level engineers
  • Develop, integrate, test, and deploy EO/IR algorithms
  • Maintain physics-based sensor models and simulations
  • Analyze sensor data and generate synthetic datasets
  • Evaluate system performance and establish metrics
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including systems engineers, physicists, and AI/ML experts

Benefits

  • Opportunities for career advancement and professional development
  • Work in a highly innovative environment
  • Collaborative and multidisciplinary team approach
  • Engage in meaningful and challenging projects related to national defense
  • Chance to make a significant impact in sensing technologies
Full Job Description
Job Summary

We are seeking a Systems Algorithm Engineer to serve as a technical leader supporting advanced electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensing programs. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in EO/IR systems, algorithm development, signal processing, sensor modeling, and technical leadership. This role will lead the development of innovative sensing technologies, AI/ML-enabled solutions, and advanced signal exploitation capabilities while collaborating with systems engineers, physicists, signal processing engineers, and AI/ML specialists. The position is 100% onsite in Linthicum, MD and requires an active Secret Clearance.

Key Responsibilities
• Lead the technical execution of advanced EO/IR research and development programs.
• Serve as a technical lead and mentor junior and mid-level engineering team members.
• Develop, integrate, test, and deploy novel electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) algorithms.
• Develop and maintain physics-based sensor models and high-fidelity simulations.
• Analyze sensor data and generate synthetic datasets using advanced modeling techniques.
• Evaluate system performance and establish meaningful performance metrics.
• Assess data quality and identify impacts of sensor artifacts and environmental effects.
• Represent system performance through analytical and functional modeling techniques.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including systems, signal processing, physics, and AI/ML experts.
• Support customer engagements and communicate technical achievements to internal and external stakeholders.
• Define technical roadmaps and contribute to internal research and development initiatives.
• Develop innovative concepts and approaches to solve complex sensing challenges.

Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or another STEM field with 14+ years of experience, OR Master's degree with 12+ years of experience, OR PhD with 10+ years of experience.
• An additional 4 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Active U.S. Government Secret Clearance.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Special Program Access (SAP).
• Experience leading engineering teams and managing successful customer interactions.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior engineers.
• Experience using technical computing tools such as Python and/or MATLAB.
• Experience working with airborne and/or space-based EO/IR sensor systems.
• Strong understanding of physics-based detection methods and sensor phenomenology.
• Excellent analytical, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications
• Advanced degree in a STEM discipline.
• Experience writing technical proposals and supporting business development efforts.
• Experience serving as a Principal Investigator or Technical Lead on R&D programs.
• Experience developing and executing internal research and development initiatives.
• Active U.S. Government Top Secret Clearance, SAP access, and/or SCI eligibility/access.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with both technical and executive audiences.
• Experience with AI/ML applications, signal processing, and advanced sensor modeling.

Top 2 Skills
• Develop, integrate, test, and deploy novel electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) algorithms.
• Build and maintain physics-based sensor models.

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