Hardware Engineer - Imaging & Sensor Systems (Rock Hill)

About Powerus

Powerus is building a next-generation American defense technology platform focused on autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, and mission-critical capability for the U.S., allied governments, and commercial customers.

Our systems operate in some of the world's most demanding environments, requiring advanced sensing, perception, autonomy, and edge computing capabilities. As we continue to vertically integrate critical technologies across our platform, we are investing heavily in the development of proprietary imaging and sensor systems to support both current and future autonomous products.

We are seeking a highly technical Hardware Engineer – Imaging & Sensor Systems to lead the design and development of next-generation camera payloads and sensor architectures for aerial, maritime, and ground autonomous systems.

The Opportunity

This is a deeply technical engineering role focused on developing proprietary imaging hardware from concept through production. The successful candidate will play a key role in reducing reliance on third-party camera suppliers while creating mission-specific sensing capabilities optimized for defense, security, and industrial applications.

You will work across sensor selection, optics integration, electronics design, image processing pipelines, embedded systems, manufacturing readiness, and product validation to deliver ruggedized, high-performance imaging systems suitable for deployment in contested and operational environments.

Key Responsibilities

Imaging System Architecture

• Lead the design and development of proprietary camera and imaging systems for autonomous platforms.
• Define complete imaging architectures including image sensors, optics, processing hardware, interface electronics, thermal management, and enclosure design.
• Evaluate and select CMOS, CCD, SWIR, MWIR, LWIR, thermal, multispectral, hyperspectral, and low-light imaging technologies.
• Develop sensor fusion architectures integrating EO, IR, thermal, LiDAR, radar, and other sensing modalities.
• Optimize systems for SWaP-C (Size, Weight, Power and Cost) requirements across airborne platforms.

Sensor Hardware Development

• Design and validate high-speed digital electronics supporting modern image sensors.
• Develop sensor interface boards utilizing MIPI CSI-2, LVDS, GigE Vision, USB3 Vision, Camera Link, CoaXPress, Ethernet, PCIe, and custom protocols.
• Perform schematic capture, PCB design reviews, component selection, and hardware validation.
• Support FPGA, embedded processor, and edge AI integration for onboard image processing.
• Design power delivery and signal integrity solutions for high-bandwidth imaging applications.

Optics & Image Quality Engineering

• Work closely with optical partners and internal teams to define lens, filter, and optical path requirements.
• Analyze modulation transfer function (MTF), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), dynamic range, spectral response, distortion, and image quality performance.
• Develop calibration methodologies for focus, distortion correction, thermal compensation, and image stabilization.
• Support integration of zoom, gimbal, stabilization, and tracking systems.

Image Processing & Embedded Systems

• Collaborate with software, autonomy, and AI teams to optimize sensor outputs for machine vision and autonomous navigation.
• Support development of ISP pipelines including:
• Debayering
• HDR processing
• Noise reduction
• Color correction
• Object detection optimization
• Low-light enhancement
• Video compression
• Optimize imaging systems for edge AI inference and onboard autonomy workloads.

Testing & Validation

• Develop comprehensive hardware validation and environmental qualification programs.
• Conduct laboratory characterization of sensor performance across varying operational conditions.
• Perform thermal, vibration, shock, EMC, EMI, ingress protection, and environmental testing.
• Establish production acceptance criteria and manufacturing quality standards.
• Support flight testing and operational evaluation activities.

Manufacturing & Productization

• Support transition from prototype through low-rate and full-rate production.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to improve yield, reliability, scalability, and cost efficiency.
• Develop supplier relationships for sensors, optics, electronics, and precision mechanical components.
• Manage component lifecycle planning and obsolescence risks.
• Support domestic manufacturing initiatives and supply chain resilience objectives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, Imaging Science, or related discipline.
• 7+ years of experience developing imaging hardware, sensor systems, machine vision products, camera systems, or related technologies.
• Deep understanding of CMOS image sensors and imaging system architecture.
• Experience designing hardware around modern image sensors from companies such as:
• Sony Semiconductor Solutions
• onsemi
• Teledyne FLIR
• OmniVision Technologies
• Strong understanding of high-speed digital design principles.
• Experience with PCB development, signal integrity analysis, and hardware debugging.
• Familiarity with embedded Linux environments and edge compute architectures.
• Experience bringing complex hardware products from concept through production.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience developing drone payloads, ISR systems, defense sensors, or military imaging systems.
• Experience with thermal imaging, SWIR, multispectral, hyperspectral, or advanced sensing technologies.
• Familiarity with FPGA development and image processing acceleration.
• Experience with sensor fusion architectures supporting autonomous navigation.
• Understanding of machine vision, perception systems, and AI-enabled sensing.
• Experience with environmental qualification standards including MIL-STD testing.
• Security clearance eligibility or existing clearance is advantageous.

AI & Advanced Technology

Powerus is an AI-first organization. Our imaging systems are designed not only to capture data, but to enable perception, autonomy, and machine decision-making at the edge. The successful candidate will be comfortable working alongside AI, autonomy, software, and embedded systems teams to develop sensing architectures that directly support next-generation autonomous capabilities.

Why Powerus

This role provides a rare opportunity to help build a vertically integrated sensing and perception capability within one of the fastest-growing defense technology companies in the market.

You will have the opportunity to influence the development of proprietary imaging systems that directly support autonomous aircraft, maritime systems, and future defense technologies while working alongside engineers, operators, and military leaders solving some of the most complex challenges in autonomy today.