Back to jobs

Camera Engineering Technical Lead

Sunnyvale, CA

Title: Camera Engineering Technical Lead 

Location: Sunnyvale, CA

Type: Full Time 

 

Job Summary


Apollo Autonomous Driving USA LLC (a subsidiary of Baidu) is looking for an autonomous driving system architect. The team's charter is to design state-of-the-art heterogeneous computing systems and various sensors (LiDAR, Radar, Camera, Navigation system, etc.) to meet the stringent targets of cost, performance, and functional safety. The person will be involved in all design phases of autonomous driving systems, from concept, architecture, design, simulations, validation, product development & deployment, and customer support. The camera engineering technical lead is fully responsible for the design and specification of cameras in autonomous driving platforms. Candidates must have a very strong background and track record in camera system architecture and design, sensor systems development, validation, calibration, and working in a dynamic environment.

 

What You’ll Do:

 

  • Work with a world-class talented group of hardware engineers and scientists to design and implement cutting-edge autonomous driving technologies platform.
  • Lead the architecture and development of advanced camera modules and imaging systems.
  • Select and evaluate CMOS image sensors, lenses, and optical components.
  • Define electrical and mechanical interfaces for camera integration.
  • Oversee hardware prototyping, bring-up, and validation. Work with the team to bring up the system and troubleshoot/diagnose issues.
  • Drive the development of custom camera boards or systems-on-module as needed.
  • Collaborate with vendors and partners to source and evaluate new technologies.
  • Image Processing, ISP Tuning, etc.
  • Design and implement image processing pipelines including noise reduction, HDR, de-mosaicking, tone mapping, white balance, auto-exposure, and auto-focus.
  • Optimize ISP parameters for various lighting conditions, use cases, and product requirements.
  • Develop and integrate custom algorithms for image quality enhancement, color calibration, and distortion correction.
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Serve as the imaging technical lead in cross-functional meetings and product development cycles. Interface with product managers, software engineers, mechanical engineers, and industrial designers to ensure camera system meets product goals. Contribute to roadmap planning and imaging strategy for future products.
  • Work with automotive industry solution and component providers to deliver a commercial product for autonomous driving market. Have the passion to dive deep into the state-of-the-art autonomous driving system technologies.
  • Oversee the resolution of highly complex autonomous driving HW system development to meet perception, localization, prediction, PnC, simulation, etc. requirements, and ensure resolutions fit within Plan of Record and roadmap.

 

What We Look For:

 

  • MS/Ph.D. in EE or related field.
  • 10+ years of work experience with camera system development.
  • Deep knowledge of imaging system components: sensors, lenses, IR filters, VCSELs, etc.
  • Strong experience with image signal processors (ISPs) and tuning tools (e.g., Qualcomm, Sony, OmniVision, Intel, ARM-based ISPs, etc.).
  • Proficient in programming languages such as C/C++, Python, and MATLAB.
  • Familiarity with embedded system development and real-time constraints.
  • Proven track record in delivering production-quality camera systems in consumer electronics, automotive, or similar fields.
  • Knowledge of camera system interface: MIPI, USB, parallel, I2C, SERDES.
  • Strong knowledge of imaging devices, optics.
  • Experience with automotive camera system is a big plus.
  • Experience with computational photography and computer vision.
  • Familiarity with machine learning techniques for image enhancement.
  • Knowledge of camera calibration, stereo vision, or depth sensing (ToF, structured light, etc.).
  • Experience with lab equipment such as light boxes, integrating spheres, and optical benches.
  • Strong publication record or patents in imaging or optics.
  • Experience working with automotive platform architecture or similar field architecture.
  • Proven experience developing strategic system architecture plans and conducting technology, trends, standards, and products research.
  • Solid track record in prioritizing and executing tasks when under extreme pressure.
  • Strong analytical skills and ability to collect information and identify fundamental patterns/trends in data. This includes the ability to gather, integrate, and interpret information from several sources.
  • Good communication to convey information clearly and accurately, as well as choosing the most effective method of delivery (e.g., email, phone, face-to-face).
  • Great project management skills for purposes of planning and decision-making. This includes developing and communicating objectives, timelines, assignments, and goals.
  • Attention to detail and engineering excellence in previous work, passion for autonomous driving technology development, and ability to work in a rapidly changing environment and to learn new technologies.
  • Experience and ability to provide guidance and leadership to junior team members is a plus. This includes the ability to provide development experiences, advice, and teaching to prepare team members for effective job performance.
  • Excellent teamwork and communication skills.

 

Culture fit:

 

  • Mission Alignment: If you want to be part of Apollo Autonomous Driving USA to accomplish our audacious mission, we will provide you with the best possible platform to do that.
  • Self-directed: We work best with people that are driven, motivated, and aspire to greatness.
  • Innovation and Creativity: The ability to produce breakthrough ideas, be a visionary, manage innovation, see multiple futures, have broad interests and knowledge, and gain support to translate new ideas into solutions.
  • Hungry to Learn: We are eager to see you lead the team in learning new skills and growing.
  • Team Orientation: We work in small, fast-moving teams. We don't believe in lone wolves. We watch out for each other and go after big goals together as a team.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

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 hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

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

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

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 measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is 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.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.