Systems Engineer, Space Imaging

📋 Description

• • Join Anduril Industries, a cutting-edge defense technology company revolutionizing military capabilities with advanced technology. We are committed to bringing the most innovative 21st-century solutions to the defense sector, transforming how military systems are designed, built, and deployed. Our systems are powered by Lattice OS, an AI-driven operating system that provides a real-time, 3D command and control center by integrating thousands of data streams. In an era of increasing strategic competition, Anduril is at the forefront, delivering advanced autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technologies to military forces with unprecedented speed.
• • The Space Imaging team is looking for a talented Systems Engineer to contribute to our mission. This team is instrumental in defining the system architecture, conducting rigorous trade analyses, and meticulously modeling and validating the performance of spaceborne Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) systems. You will be a key player in shaping the future of space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
• • In this pivotal role, you will be responsible for architecting advanced active EO/IR systems. Your work will involve performing detailed radiometric performance modeling to predict system capabilities. You will also be deeply involved in laboratory, ground, and flight testing to validate these models and ensure real-world performance meets stringent requirements. To achieve accurate predictions of system effectiveness, you will model complex atmospheric and environmental effects impacting land, sea, and air targets.
• • Your analytical insights will directly inform critical system-level architectural trade-offs, ensuring we select the most effective and efficient designs. As needed, you will have the opportunity to lead small, agile teams of engineers, guiding them from the initial concept ideation phase through system definition and subsequent development. This leadership opportunity allows you to shape technical direction and mentor emerging talent.
• • We are seeking individuals with a proven track record of success in fast-paced, highly technical, and interdisciplinary team environments. You should possess strong analytical skills and be proficient in essential analytical toolchains and programming languages such as MATLAB and Python. Experience with industry-standard EO/IR modeling software packages like MODTRAN, SPIRITS, or AFSIM is highly advantageous. Prior experience working with space sensors and systems is a significant plus and will be strongly considered.
• • Your responsibilities will encompass defining robust system architectures through detailed trade studies and in-depth analyses. You will develop and adapt physics-based models to accurately represent sensor system performance, using these models to derive precise system requirements.
• • You will take ownership of the development and testing of prototype sensor systems within a laboratory setting, ensuring rapid iteration and validation of designs. This hands-on role requires a strong aptitude for laboratory work, including rapid prototyping and experimental design.
• • You will actively support both laboratory-based and field-based experiments and demonstrations, contributing to the validation of system performance in diverse operational scenarios.
• • A critical aspect of this role involves engaging technically with cross-functional hardware, software, and mission teams. Your collaboration will be essential for defining, integrating, and ultimately delivering high-performance systems that meet our customers' demanding needs.
• • You will be responsible for validating your analytical models against both controlled laboratory data and real-world operational data, ensuring the fidelity and accuracy of your predictions.
• • Effective communication is paramount. You will coordinate and communicate technical information clearly and concisely with both external and internal stakeholders, who may have varying degrees of technical background. Your ability to translate complex technical concepts into understandable terms will be crucial for project success.
• • This role requires a deep understanding of remote sensing principles and the ability to decompose complex systems into their constituent functional parts, defining clear interfaces and specific requirements for each component. You will leverage your expertise to drive innovation and ensure the successful development of next-generation space imaging systems.