Systems Engineer (Vision Systems) - Firefly Aerospace

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

Firefly Aerospace Inc. is an American end-to-end space transportation company committed to providing economical and convenient access to space for small payloads through the design, manufacture, and operation of reliable launch and spacecraft vehicles.

We are achieving this by supporting a work culture that empowers employees to dream big as they enable new technology innovations with game-changing efficiencies in LEO, on the Moon, and beyond. We are looking for incredibly passionate, bright innovators to join our team as we deliver game changing commercial products to space.

SUMMARY

As the Systems Engineer for Vision Systems for the Blue Ghost Lunar Landers, you will play a key role in ensuring our vision navigation system, including cameras, computers, and software, guides our spacecraft to safe landings on the Moon. The current fully funded programs are all on track to revolutionize lunar access by delivering reliable transportation and payload accommodations services for cutting edge scientific payloads and lunar infrastructure that will allow future lunar travel to be sustainable. In this role you will be responsible for the system engineering for our vision navigation systems, including requirements management, budgets, key interfaces between the vision navigation system and other subsystems, risk, and verifications through I&T. You will support the CE in managing the interoperability and compatibility with all the other technical disciplines while helping to build the foundation of strong vision navigation at Firefly.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as point of contact and subject matter expert for Vision Navigation to Firefly teams, our GNC partners, and vision navigation partners.
• Conduct and evaluate key trades related to vision navigation.
• Collaborate with guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) engineers to integrate the vision navigation system with the lander's overall control system.
• Develop and perform extensive testing and validation of the navigation system in simulated and, if possible, real-world lunar environments.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of contingency plans for potential vision system failures or unexpected scenarios.
• Maintain meticulous documentation of the system design, algorithms, and performance characteristics.
• Review designs, work instructions, test plans, test procedures
• Ensure procedures are in place for safe and proper handling of vision hardware while still maintaining an agile work environment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• BS in Aerospace Engineering or related engineering discipline
• Well organized and able to leverage and quickly master model tools like Jira and Confluence.
• 3+ years of experience in systems engineering or related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in vision navigation hardware or software
• Deep understanding of the physics of optics, cameras, lenses, and image sensors.
• Experience with developing vision navigation systems for other autonomous vehicles.
• Fluency in at least one CAD suite, with NX/Teamcenter preferred.
• Fluency in at least one scripting language, preferably Python.
• Ability to effectively work in a multi-discipline team and provide leadership, guidance, and insight.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills
• Demonstrated leadership abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to track and improve technical performance metrics.
• Passion for space exploration and lunar missions.

Desired

• 5+ years of experience in any engineering discipline (Spacecraft or Vision Systems highly preferred)
• Knowledge of spacecraft dynamics and control systems.
• Experience with spacecraft simulation environments.
• Familiarity with the lunar environment and relevant terrain characteristics.
• Expertise in real-time image processing optimization techniques.
• Experience with formal verification and validation of mission-critical systems.
• Proficiency in machine learning and deep learning techniques, particularly applied to object detection, terrain classification, and hazard identification.
• Expert knowledge of computer vision algorithms, including feature detection, image segmentation, 3D reconstruction, and pose estimation.
• Proficiency in machine learning and deep learning techniques, particularly applied to object detection, terrain classification, and hazard identification.
• Experience working the full life cycle of a spacecraft program, including test and mission operations.
• Familiarity with JAMA, Atlassian Confluence and Jira, and Siemens NX/Teamcenter
• Working knowledge of AS9100 or ISO9001
• Cleanroom and flatsat operational experience

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, pet Insurance, and flexible PTO options.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.