Signal Chain Processing Engineer

Space Kinetic is a dual-use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations—one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology to space missions while reducing the ecosystem’s reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo, we are focused on creating something entirely different—an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on. Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures, where each satellite has one or a small number of primary payloads attached to the bus, and unlock a one-to-many system in which each satellite carries numerous payloads that can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.

This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space.

What You’ll Do:

We are seeking a Signal Chain Processing Engineer to own the design, integration, and qualification of optical processing systems for our spacecraft and payload technologies. This is a hands-on role for an engineer who has built optical processing systems in early architecture, design, testing, and on-orbit operations.

Job Responsibilities:

• Select, develop, and evaluate processing techniques, optimizing calibration, background suppression, signal augmentation, target detection, geolocation, and multi-target and multi-sensor tracking
• Leverage end-to-end data exploitation and analytics knowledge to validate novel image and signal processing algorithms
• Apply end-to-end knowledge of data exploitation and data analytics to develop verification and validation of new image and signal processing algorithms and inform trade studies to optimize performance of space payloads
• Craft innovative, multi-phenomenon solutions, specialized visualizations, and analytical reports for company leadership
• Develop alignment, calibration, metrology, and automated test methods to characterize optical performance.
• Analyze test data, diagnose optical performance issues, lead anomaly investigations, and implement corrective design actions.
• Partner with mechanical, electrical, software, systems, manufacturing, and supplier teams to deliver manufacturable, flight-ready hardware and software.

What It Takes:

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Imaging Science, Mathematics, Electrical and Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 4+ years of relevant experience in EO/IR imaging, image or signal processing, computer vision, object detection and tracking, remote sensing, or optical sensor systems.
• Experience developing detection, localization, computer vision, and tracking algorithms and their application to real or simulated imagery data.
• Strong understanding of image formation, optics, detectors, calibration, noise, sensitivity, resolution, and their impact on downstream algorithm performance. Adept at conducting modeling and simulation, test data generation, algorithm performance trade studies, and reporting findings to stakeholders
• Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, C++, or a similar language for optical modeling, test automation, and data analysis.
• Experience working with visible and/or infrared imaging systems, and familiarity with laboratory characterization of imaging or optical systems to work effectively with optical hardware and test equipment.

What We’d Love:

• Experience developing optical imaging systems for spacecraft, satellites, defense platforms, long-range tracking and detection, airborne systems, or other high-reliability applications.
• Experience with infrared systems, free-space optics, laser communications, imaging payloads, star trackers, or pointing, acquisition, and tracking systems.
• Experience with state estimation, sensor fusion, multi-target tracking, data association, Kalman filtering, visual navigation, or spacecraft attitude and line-of-sight determination.
• Experience with LWIR imaging, radiometric calibration, detector characterization, optical alignment, metrology, star-field processing, or other image-based spacecraft localization techniques. Advanced degree in a related STEM field, particularly Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Atmospheric Science, Computer Science, Optical or Electrical Engineering
• Published work in scientific journals or technical conferences on remote sensing or algorithm development and analysis
• Experience with relevant Space Domain Awareness, Missile Defense, and/or Intel Community data types and tradecraft
• Experience applying artificial intelligence/computer vision methods to object detection, feature extraction, and tracking applications

Where You’ll Be:

The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA. Domestic travel may be required (up to ~20% of the year).

What We Offer:

• Equity-Based Compensation
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 3.5% company match
• Highly Competitive PTO
• Paid company holidays + winter break
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Unique Performance-based bonus opportunities

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be (i) a U.S. citizen or national, (ii) a U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) a refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, (iv) an asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

The annual base salary for this role is below. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.

The annual base salary for this role is below. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.

Pay Range

$135,000 - $192,000 USD

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Space Kinetic’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.