Senior Tracking Software Engineer, Space

Role:

We are seeking a Senior Tracking Software Engineer to join our rapidly growing team in Washington DC. This role involves leading the development of advanced 2D and 3D tracking algorithms that maintain custody of space objects, processing sensor detections and messages into actionable tracks for space situational awareness missions.

Responsibilities:

• Lead systems engineering and algorithm development tasks supporting space and missile defence tracking missions, providing technical direction and guidance to team members
• Architect and implement advanced object tracking and state estimation algorithms, including track initiation, maintenance, correlation, and termination
• Design and evaluate multi-target tracking and multi-sensor fusion approaches for EO/IR, RF, or hybrid sensor architectures
• Lead the implementation of advanced data association techniques including Joint Probabilistic Data Association, Multiple Hypothesis Tracking, nearest neighbour, and track-to-track fusion methods
• Drive innovation in data association techniques, exploring novel approaches and optimisations for complex operational scenarios
• Build sophisticated 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
• Lead performance analysis, trade studies, and simulation-based assessments of tracking robustness under challenging conditions (manoeuvring targets, clutter, countermeasures, degraded sensing)
• Collaborate with and mentor software engineers to transition tracking algorithms from MATLAB/Python prototypes to production C/C++ code optimised for real-time operational systems
• Drive the systems engineering lifecycle, including requirements decomposition, trade studies on tracking approaches, verification and validation planning, and design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR)
• Lead technical documentation efforts and present at design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and customer engagements
• Mentor engineers in tracking algorithm development, state estimation theory, and best practices
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert for tracking systems, advising programme leadership on algorithm performance, risks, and opportunities

Requirements:

• Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or related technical field
• 8+ years of experience designing, implementing, and testing multi-target tracking algorithms for aerospace, defence, or autonomous systems
• Demonstrated technical leadership in tracking algorithm development, including leading design efforts, mentoring team members, or serving as a subject matter expert
• Deep theoretical and practical expertise with state estimation techniques, including Kalman Filters (EKF, UKF), multi-target tracking concepts, and Interacting Multiple Model (IMM) filters
• Proven experience developing tracking algorithms that handle track initiation, maintenance, correlation, and termination in operational systems
• Expert proficiency in algorithm development using MATLAB and/or Python, with demonstrated experience transitioning algorithms to C++ for production deployment
• Extensive experience with modelling, simulation, and testing workflows, including Monte Carlo analysis, sensor data playback, or hardware-in-the-loop environments
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with software engineers, systems engineers, and test teams to integrate tracking algorithms into operational systems
• Excellent communication skills, with experience presenting technical concepts to diverse audiences, including engineers, programme managers, and customers

Preferred qualifications include an advanced degree, additional years of experience, and specific areas of expertise in domains such as missile defence or space systems, EO/IR or RF sensors, kill vehicles, interceptors, or countermeasures.