Systems Engineer, Space Imaging

📋 Description

• • Join Anduril Industries, a pioneering defense technology company at the forefront of transforming military capabilities with cutting-edge innovation. We are dedicated to bringing the agility, technology, and business acumen of 21st-century leaders to the defense sector, fundamentally reshaping how advanced systems are conceived, developed, and deployed. Our suite of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an intelligent, AI-driven operating system that synthesizes vast streams of data into a dynamic, real-time 3D command and control environment. In an era defined by strategic competition, Anduril is committed to rapidly delivering advanced autonomy, artificial intelligence, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technologies to military forces.
• • The Space Imaging team is seeking a highly motivated Systems Engineer to contribute to our mission of developing and deploying state-of-the-art spaceborne Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) systems. This role is integral to defining system architectures, conducting rigorous trade analyses, and meticulously modeling and validating system performance. You will be instrumental in shaping the future of space-based sensing capabilities.
• • As a Systems Engineer on the Space Imaging team, you will take the lead in defining active EO/IR system architectures. This involves performing detailed radiometric performance modeling, which requires a deep understanding of sensor physics and performance metrics. You will also be responsible for designing and executing laboratory, ground, and flight testing to validate system performance against theoretical predictions. To ensure our systems perform optimally in diverse operational environments, you will model atmospheric and environmental effects on targets across land, sea, and air.
• • Your analytical insights will directly inform critical system-level architectural trade-offs, ensuring we select the most effective and efficient designs. In addition to your technical contributions, you may be called upon to lead small teams of engineers, guiding them from the initial stages of concept ideation through system definition and development. This leadership opportunity will allow you to mentor and drive projects to successful completion.
• • We are looking for individuals with a proven track record of success within fast-paced, highly technical, and interdisciplinary team settings. A strong command of analytical toolchains and programming languages, such as MATLAB and Python, is essential for this role. Proficiency in industry-standard EO/IR modeling software packages like MODTRAN, SPIRITS, or AFSIM is considered a significant advantage. Prior experience with space sensors and systems is highly desirable and will enable you to hit the ground running.
• • Key responsibilities include defining robust system architectures through comprehensive trade studies and detailed analyses. You will adapt or derive physics-based models to accurately represent sensor system performance and subsequently derive precise requirements based on these models. A significant part of the role involves taking ownership of the development and validation of prototype sensor systems within a laboratory environment, requiring hands-on expertise and a methodical approach to experimentation.
• • You will actively support both laboratory-based and field-based experiments and demonstrations, contributing to the rigorous testing and validation of our systems. Technical engagement with hardware, software, and mission teams is crucial for defining, integrating, and ultimately delivering high-performance systems that meet and exceed customer expectations. A critical aspect of this role is validating your models against both laboratory data and real-world observations, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
• • Effective communication is paramount. You will be responsible for coordinating and communicating technical information clearly and concisely with both external and internal stakeholders, who may have varying degrees of technical background. This requires the ability to translate complex technical concepts into understandable terms for diverse audiences. Your work will directly contribute to Anduril's mission of providing advanced defense technology solutions.