Senior Perception Engineer — Aerial Vision, Tracking & 3D Geometry

Job description

What we’re looking for We’re looking for a Senior Perception Engineer to co-own and advance the production perception stack for autonomous drones. You’ll develop real-time C++ systems that combine learned visual detections with multi-object tracking, camera geometry, vehicle state, and monocular 3D target estimation. The role is focused on real world and deployable software: translating algorithms and models into maintainable onboard components, validating them on recorded and live flight data, and diagnosing failures across the complete perception pipeline. The day-to-day Design, implement, and maintain production C++ perception components for camera-based detection, tracking, target localization, and trajectory estimation on autonomous drones. Develop and improve multi-object tracking, data association, motion models, filtering, uncertainty propagation, track management, and fusion of detector and single-object-tracker outputs. Estimate target position and motion in world coordinates by fusing monocular vision with vehicle-state and navigation data, accounting for timing, uncertainty, latency, and degraded sensor states. Integrate and optimize neural-network models in the production C++ pipeline using ONNX, TensorRT, CUDA, and NVIDIA Jetson. Analyze recorded flight data and systematically reproduce and diagnose field failures. Define robust software interfaces and engineering standards, conduct design and code reviews, communicate clearly across disciplines, and collaborate effectively with ML, autonomy, simulation, and flight-test teams. You should apply if you Strong programming skills and experience designing, testing, and maintaining performance-sensitive production software. Hands-on experience shipping perception, state-estimation, localization, or tracking software on real robotic systems. Strong understanding of linear algebra, rigid-body transformations, coordinate frames, and projective geometry. Experience with probabilistic estimation, Kalman filtering or related estimators, uncertainty modeling, motion models, and sensor fusion. Ability to integrate learned models into a broader perception system and reason about preprocessing, output semantics, failure modes, latency, and model-to-system trade-offs. Good understanding of algorithms and data structures, strong software architecture judgment, and a track record of independently owning complex technical systems. Strong problem-solving and communication skills, with the ability to mentor engineers and collaborate across perception, ML, autonomy, embedded, and flight-test teams. Nice to haves Experience with aerial / drone (UAV) perception, target tracking, geolocation, or autonomous aircraft. Familiarity with ROS 2, PX4, ArduPilot, MAVLink, or comparable robotics and flight-control software stacks. Edge / real-time deployment experience with NVIDIA Jetson, TensorRT, CUDA, VPI, GStreamer, or hardware-accelerated camera pipelines. Visual-inertial odometry (VIO), visual SLAM, structure-from-motion, factor graphs, bundle adjustment, or GNSS-denied navigation. Experience with NVIDIA Isaac Sim, software-in-the-loop / hardware-in-the-loop testing, synthetic data, or simulation-based validation. Experience with low-light, thermal, EO/IR, fisheye, gimbal-mounted, or long-range imaging systems. What we offer Real impact & ownership: Shape high-tech defense systems and take responsibility from day one Mission-driven environment: Work on technologies that matter for European security and sovereignty Competitive package: Competitive salary, EGYM Wellpass, corporate benefits, and equity options aligned with role and level Deep tech environment: Get hands-on experience with cutting-edge drone technology and real operational use cases Grow fast: Steep learning curve for juniors, strategic influence and leadership opportunities for seniors Startup mindset meets defence innovation: flat hierarchies, fast decisions, and space for your ideas. Flexibility: Flexible hours, remote options, and relocation support Strong team: International, driven colleagues and a culture built on exchange, trust, and shared success