Back to jobs
New

Senior Space Surveillance Engineer, Sensor Development & Image Processing

Remote

Meet Slingshot 

At Slingshot Aerospace, we're on a mission to make space safer and more secure for everyone. Our work directly impacts global security, disaster response, climate monitoring, and the critical infrastructure that connects our world. We're a team of builders, thinkers, and problem-solvers who believe that the next generation of space operations will be powered by better data and smarter software. We move fast, we're not afraid to fail, and we believe the best ideas can come from anywhere—whether you're in engineering, sales, product, or operations. If you want to work on something that truly matters, with people who care deeply about the impact we're making and help shape the future of an industry that's just getting started, you're in the right place. 

What You’ll Be Launching 

As a Senior member of Space Surveillance Research and Development (R&D) technical staff, you will take a lead role advancing Slingshot’s efforts to accelerate the security, safety, and sustainability of space through the detection, tracking, identification, and characterization of satellites and space debris. This role includes a specialization in real-time image processing and GPU-accelerated systems, with a strong emphasis on the design and development of space surveillance sensor systems across the Global Sensor Network.

This work will include a subset of: (i) designing and developing sensing systems for space surveillance applications; (ii) development of software and hardware interfaces for ground- and space-based gimbaled and non-gimbaled sensor systems; (iii) development of state-of-the-art real-time detection, calibration, and mount control algorithms; (iv) modeling, simulation, and analysis of sensor network capabilities; and (v) development of robust software to autonomously operate remote observatories in GPU-accelerated environments.

Your Mission (Should you choose to accept it)  

  • Execute all responsibilities in alignment with Slingshot’s mission, purpose, and values
  • Lead and contribute to the design, development, and integration of space surveillance sensor systems across the Global Sensor Network
  • Perform system-level design, simulation, and integration of hardware and software components for advanced space surveillance systems
  • Design and implement real-time image processing pipelines in GPU-accelerated environments
  • Develop algorithms and software for sensor data tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination
  • Apply signal processing and image calibration techniques to improve detection and tracking performance
  • Develop and optimize C++ and Python (including PyTorch) applications for high-performance computing environments
  • Support transitions of Slingshot’s products and services to the Slingshot Global Sensor Network (SGSN), space operations centers, and other testbeds
  • Engage with customers and stakeholders to support mission-critical outcomes
  • Contribute to product strategy and technical direction through subject matter expertise
  • Prepare technical reports and briefing materials
  • Present technical work to internal and external stakeholders
  • Serve as a technical expert in space surveillance, sensor development, and real-time processing systems
  • Lead execution of individual and small team technical efforts and contribute to larger cross-team initiatives
  • Mentor team members and share subject matter expertise
  • Lead technical contributions to proposals and new business efforts
  • Champion internal research and development initiatives
  • Perform other duties as assigned (less than 10% of responsibilities listed above)

Pre-flight Checklist 

  • Undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Astronomy, or a related field, or equivalent experience
  • 7+ years of relevant experience, including experience with real-time image processing and/or sensor system development
  • Strong programming experience in C++ and Python
  • Experience developing and deploying applications in GPU-accelerated environments, including use of CUDA
  • Experience with PyTorch or similar frameworks for high-performance or machine learning applications
  • Background in signal processing, algorithm design, and linear algebra
  • Experience with image calibration and working with space-based or sensor coordinate systems
  • Experience contributing to the design, development, or integration of sensor systems
  • Ability to design, implement, and optimize real-time processing pipelines
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to varied audiences
  • Ability to travel up to 5% domestically and internationally as needed
  • Must be a U.S. citizen eligible for and able to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Bonus Cargo 

  • Graduate degree in a relevant technical field or equivalent experience
  • Advanced experience optimizing GPU-based systems for real-time performance
  • Experience with embedded or edge computing systems for sensor platforms
  • Experience with astrodynamics, estimation theory, or space domain awareness applications
  • Experience integrating software with optical or mechanical sensing systems
  • Familiarity with distributed sensor networks and autonomous observatory operations
  • Experience working in early-stage or high-growth environments
  • Experience contributing to research, publications, or advanced technical proposals

We're building a constellation here, not looking for identical satellites. Every member of the team brings different capabilities to the same mission. If your orbit intersects with ours and you're mission-ready, send it. 

Location: Remote, US

Salary: $150,000-$250,000

Classification: Full time Exempt (learned professional exemption) 

US-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following U.S. states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV We are unable to consider candidates residing in other U.S. states at this time.

Internationally-based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following locations: United Kingdom. We are unable to consider candidates residing in other countries at this time.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion are key to our success. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds, who share a passion for creating a safer, more connected world. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity, but also national origin, citizenship, sex, color, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic that is part of one’s identity. All of our employees’ points of view are key to our success, and we embrace individuality.

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Slingshot Aerospace? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

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...

Please explore the requirements to obtain a US Government Security Clearance through the US Intelligence Security Clearance Process informational.

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 Slingshot Aerospace’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.