Description
We are seeking a Tracking Software Engineer to join our rapidly growing team in Washington DC. Your role will involve developing 2D and 3D tracking algorithms that maintain custody of space objects, processing sensor detections and messages into actionable tracks for space situational awareness missions.
As a Tracking Software Engineer, you will be responsible for designing and implementing multi-target tracking systems using advanced state estimation and data association techniques. You will develop physics-based models to validate performance, and work closely with software teams to deploy your algorithms into operational systems.
Key responsibilities include:
Perform systems engineering and algorithm development tasks supporting space and missile defence tracking missions
Design and implement advanced object tracking and state estimation algorithms, including track initiation, maintenance, correlation, and termination
Develop and evaluate multi-target tracking and multi-sensor fusion approaches for EO/IR, RF, or hybrid sensor architectures
Implement advanced data association techniques including JPDA, MHT, nearest neighbour, and track-to-track fusion methods
Apply and refine data association techniques, such as nearest neighbour and probabilistic association, Joint Probabilistic Data Association (JPDA), Multiple Hypothesis Tracking (MHT), and track-to-track fusion methods
Build physics-based models and conduct modelling and simulation including Monte Carlo analysis, recorded sensor playback, and hardware-in-the-loop testing to validate tracking performance
Conduct performance analysis, trade studies, and simulation-based assessments of tracking robustness under challenging conditions (manoeuvring targets, clutter, countermeasures, degraded sensing)
Collaborate with software engineers to transition tracking algorithms from MATLAB/Python prototypes to production C/C++ code optimised for real-time operational systems
Support the systems engineering lifecycle including requirements decomposition, trade studies on tracking approaches, verification and validation planning, and design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR)
Prepare technical documentation and briefings for design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and customer engagements
You will need:
To possess and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
A Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical field
5+ years of experience designing, implementing, and testing multi-target tracking algorithms for aerospace, defence, or autonomous systems
Strong theoretical and practical experience with state estimation techniques, including Kalman Filters (EKF, UKF), multi-target tracking concepts, and Interacting Multiple Model (IMM) filters
Experience developing tracking algorithms that handle track initiation, maintenance, correlation, and termination in operational systems
Proficiency in algorithm development using MATLAB and/or Python with demonstrated experience transitioning algorithms to C++ for production deployment
Experience with modelling, simulation, and testing workflows including Monte Carlo analysis, sensor data playback, or hardware-in-the-loop environments
Ability to work collaboratively with software engineers, systems engineers, and test teams to integrate tracking algorithms into operational systems