In this role, you will collaborate with autonomy, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), flight software, and AI engineers to design, implement, and deploy computer vision algorithms that operate effectively in dynamic, real-world environments. You will work across object detection, tracking, visual localization, scene understanding, sensor fusion, and perception-driven autonomy to enable robust autonomous operations in challenging mission scenarios.
The ideal candidate combines strong computer vision fundamentals with practical experience deploying perception systems on robotic or autonomous platforms. You will play a key role in developing vision capabilities that support navigation, obstacle avoidance, target tracking, and mission autonomy while contributing to the broader autonomy stack deployed on operational aircraft.
Visual Navigation & Localization: Develop visual-inertial odometry, localization, and mapping algorithms; implement vision-based navigation solutions for degraded and GPS-denied environments; support SLAM and feature-based localization systems; design robust estimation methods that fuse camera, IMU, GPS, lidar, and radar data; improve navigation performance through sensor fusion and environmental awareness.
Machine Learning & AI: Develop, train, and deploy deep learning models for onboard perception; create data processing, labeling, augmentation, and evaluation pipelines; optimize neural networks for real-time inference on embedded computing platforms; analyze model performance and improve robustness across operational conditions; support deployment of perception models on edge AI hardware.
Camera Systems & Sensor Integration: Integrate and evaluate diverse imaging systems including RGB, stereo, fisheye, thermal, and event-based cameras; develop camera calibration workflows and sensor characterization procedures; support multi-camera synchronization and calibration efforts; improve image quality, calibration accuracy, and perception system reliability; collaborate with hardware teams to evaluate and integrate emerging sensor technologies.
Testing & Validation: Develop simulation and testing frameworks for perception algorithms; support software-in-the-loop, hardware-in-the-loop, and flight testing activities; analyze flight data to identify performance gaps and improve perception robustness; establish metrics and validation procedures for autonomous perception systems; document system performance and support field deployments.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
Experience: 2–4 years of industry experience in computer vision, robotics, machine learning, or autonomous systems OR Master's degree with 1–2 years of industry experience.
Strong proficiency in C++, Python, or Rust.
Experience with OpenCV and modern computer vision frameworks.
Experience developing perception systems using PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar machine learning frameworks.
Strong understanding of image processing, geometric vision, and camera systems.
Experience with object detection, tracking, segmentation, and machine learning-based perception algorithms.
Familiarity with sensor fusion and state estimation techniques.
Experience with ROS/ROS2 or similar robotics middleware.
Experience developing software in Linux environments.
Job details are sourced from the employer's original posting.
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Together We Can Build Something Meaningful Pivotal is driven, creative, smart and fun-loving company. We offer a modern approach to technology that organizations need to thrive in a new era of business innovation. We Can Go Fast Forever. We pair program, all day, every day because we know it delivers remarkable results. We practice and teach an approach to software engineering that applies across industries and organizations, so you’ll experience all types of teams, products, and technologies. And we believe in working at a sustainable pace – you’ll typically code hard for 8 hours each day, but then you’re off work to relax, recharge and refocus. We Court Perfection. Working at Pivotal means you get better at what you already do well. We set up regular retrospectives to figure out what we're doing wrong so we can fix it, and what we're doing right so we can improve on it. We consistently practice Test Driven Development, which results in high-quality, reliable and more maintainable code. And we believe that methodical, steady, relentless forward momentum drives consistent results. Get Breakfast Everyday. And Get Paid to Master The Latest Technologies. To make sure you start your day energized, we provide a catered breakfast every weekday morning, and unlimited snacks are available all day. Our collaborative, open-plan office space is filled with talented, like-minded Pivots who enjoy taking advantage of our weekly Tech Talks, playing ping pong, and hanging out with their co-workers on beer night.