Camera/Imaging Engineer - LWIR

Department: Engineering

Location: Oakland

Compensation: $120K – $180K • Offers Equity

Employment Type: FullTime

Company Overview

We are a rapidly growing technology startup focused on delivering next-generation drones for security and safety applications. Our company vertically integrates hardware and software to create leading edge capabilities in the UAV space, with a focus on saving lives.

Position Summary

We are seeking a talented and motivated Camera Engineer to join our engineering team, focusing on the design, development, and integration of thermal imaging systems into stabilized gimbal platforms. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with infrared (IR) optical systems, thermal camera modules, and the mechanical, electrical, and optical considerations required to successfully integrate these components into gimbaled payloads. This role offers the opportunity to work on innovative imaging products from concept through production, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams including mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineering.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, analyze, and optimize optical systems for thermal (LWIR, EO) imaging applications.

• Lead the integration of thermal camera modules into gimbal-stabilized payloads, ensuring optimal optical, mechanical, and thermal performance.

• Perform optical modeling, tolerancing, and stray light analysis using tools such as Zemax, Code V, or FRED.

• Collaborate with mechanical engineers to design optomechanical assemblies, mounts, and housings that meet environmental, vibration, and weight requirements.

• Develop and execute test plans to characterize thermal camera and gimbal system performance, including MTF, NETD, boresight stability, line-of-sight (LOS) jitter, and image quality.

• Support calibration, alignment, and qualification of integrated optical payloads.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.

• Minimum of 5+ years of professional optics engineering experience, including optical design, analysis, and testing.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience working with thermal cameras (LWIR and/or MWIR), including familiarity with detector technologies (microbolometer, cooled IR detectors), optics materials (Ge, Si, ZnSe, chalcogenide), and IR system performance metrics.

• Proven experience integrating thermal cameras into gimbaled payloads or stabilized platforms, including alignment, boresighting, and performance validation.

• Proficiency with optical design and analysis software (e.g., Zemax, Code V, FRED, or equivalent).

• Strong understanding of optomechanical design principles and tolerancing.

• Experience with optical metrology and test equipment (collimators, blackbodies, interferometers, MTF testers, etc.).

• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.

• Experience designing or integrating EO/IR payloads for UAVs, ISR platforms, or other airborne/ground/maritime systems.

• Familiarity with multi-sensor payloads combining thermal, visible, SWIR, and laser rangefinder/designator components.

• Knowledge of gimbal stabilization principles, line-of-sight control, and inertial stabilization systems.

• Experience with environmental qualification testing (MIL-STD-810, DO-160) for optical payloads.

• Familiarity with image processing techniques and thermal image quality assessment.

• Experience working in regulated environments (ITAR, EAR) and with defense or aerospace customers.

• Programming/scripting experience (Python, MATLAB) for analysis, automation, or test data processing.