Responsibilities
- Translate top-level remote sensing performance requirements into clear, verifiable specifications for the camera subsystem (including image sensor, proximity electronics, lens/optical interfaces, and thermal management)
- Serve as the primary technical point of contact for external image sensor foundries and camera component vendors; drive statement of work (SOW) definitions, technical milestones, and critical design reviews (PDR/CDR)
- Lead camera-level trade studies balancing image quality attributes (SNR, dynamic range, MTF, radiometry) against spacecraft constraints like power consumption, thermal dissipation, and mass
- Define and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) mapping the boundaries between the camera module, high-speed data serialization, the image signal processing (ISP) pipeline, and the host payload/spacecraft bus
- Own the end-to-end verification matrix for the camera; design and oversee the execution of environmental qualification plans (vacuum, thermal, vibration) and electro-optical calibration routines
Requirements
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field
- 10+ years of engineering experience, with at least 5+ years dedicated to systems engineering or technical leadership for complex digital cameras or electro-optical (EO) imaging systems
- Track record of managing requirements traceability and flowdown across electrical, mechanical, and optical boundaries
- Experience managing external vendors, foundries, or contract manufacturers for high-performance camera components or custom sensors
- Deep understanding of CMOS image sensor architecture, radiometry, and camera performance budgets (e.g., tracking noise, stray light, and MTF across the camera module)
Nice to Have
- Experience developing camera hardware or imaging instruments for the LEO environment, including knowledge of radiation mitigation, outgassing, and vacuum-compatible design
- Experience applying aerospace standards (NASA, ESA, or high-reliability commercial equivalents) to camera qualification, environmental testing, and hardware acceptance
- Familiarity with hardware-level image processing (e.g., dark current correction, defective pixel masking), high-speed serialization protocols, and ground-station image calibration
Work Arrangement
Hybrid — San Francisco
Additional Information
- This is a full-time role
- Requires working from the San Francisco office 3 days per week
