Perception & Guidance Engineer - UAS (Aerospace Division)

Systems Technology, Inc. (STI) is seeking a Perception & Guidance Engineer to join its Aerospace division, developing vision-based targeting and terminal guidance algorithms for counter-UAS and interceptor platforms. The role owns the pipeline from raw camera frames to steering command, including detection and tracking algorithms, state estimation, and guidance laws. The engineer will work closely with embedded and systems engineering to transition algorithms from bench to flight, supporting simulation, flight testing, and telemetry analysis.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement detection and tracking algorithms for dual-camera, gimbal-free visual seeker systems
• Develop state estimation for target position, velocity, and confidence from visual sensor data, with an eye toward future sensor fusion (IMU, GPS, radar)
• Design and tune guidance laws (e.g., proportional navigation and variants) for terminal-phase target intercept
• Work with embedded engineers to ensure algorithms run in real time on size-, weight-, and power-constrained flight hardware (e.g., ModalAI VOXL 2 Mini class compute)
• Define and validate the interface between perception/guidance outputs and downstream flight control and mission systems
• Support hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop simulation to characterize algorithm performance before flight
• Participate in flight testing, telemetry analysis, and post-flight debugging of guidance performance
• Collaborate with GNC engineers to ensure guidance outputs are compatible with flight control system assumptions
• Maintain code quality through version control, code review, and structured testing practices

Requirements

• 2–4 years of professional experience in computer vision, guidance/navigation algorithms, or closely related controls/estimation work
• Proficiency in Python and/or C++ for algorithm development
• Working knowledge of computer vision fundamentals (detection, tracking, filtering — e.g., Kalman filter variants) and/or classical guidance laws
• Strong problem-solving, analysis, and debugging skills
• U.S. Person status required, as defined by ITAR (22 CFR 120.15), due to the export-controlled nature of this work
• This is an on-site position based in Hawthorne / Los Angeles, CA; remote or hybrid work is not available

Nice to have

• Experience with UAS, UAVs, drones, or RC aircraft, particularly vision-based targeting or collision avoidance
• Experience deploying vision or estimation algorithms on embedded/constrained compute platforms
• Familiarity with real-time image processing pipelines and global-shutter camera systems (e.g., AR0144-class sensors)
• Familiarity with sensor fusion techniques and multi-target tracking
• Familiarity with simulation environments for guidance/seeker performance evaluation
• Familiarity with Git and modern software development practices

Benefits

• Medical benefits (HMO – 100% company paid for Employees & Dependents)
• Dental and vision plans
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 401(k) Safe Harbor Retirement Plan and company defined contribution.
• Flexible spending Accounts (FSA), Dependent Care, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Life & Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Fitness Program Reimbursement and Technology Stipends
• Tuition Assistance Programs
• Year-round company sponsored events.
• Employee rewards and recognition