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Salary: USD 150,000 - 190,000 / annual
Fortastra designs and delivers resilient, high-performance autonomous spacecraft for orbital operations and national security space applications. The company recently raised $8M in seed capital and is led by Mike Smayda, former Hermeus co-founder.
You will join the Engineering Division as a Perception Engineer, focusing on the tactical execution of autonomous spacecraft systems. Your primary responsibility is developing computer vision and machine learning algorithms that enable spacecraft to detect, classify, and track objects in space as part of a multi-agent, coordinated vehicle ecosystem.
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop computer vision and machine learning algorithms for object detection, classification, and tracking in the space environment
- Design and implement perception software for multi-agent spacecraft scenarios, drawing on paradigms from UAVs, drones, and advanced driver assistance systems
- Build perception pipelines and software stacks that process data from onboard sensors, with emphasis on camera-based systems
- Curate, generate, and manage datasets for training, validation, and testing of perception models
- Integrate perception algorithms into Fortastra's proprietary simulation environment and ROS-based toolchains for end-to-end autonomy testing
- Implement perception software in Python and C++, targeting Linux (Ubuntu) environments and eventual flight software integration
- Collaborate with autonomy, GNC, and flight software teams to define interfaces, data products, and performance requirements
- Contribute to the design of software architectures for detecting and tracking objects in space, including reasoning about edge cases and failure modes
You will work closely with GNC and Flight Software engineers to turn raw sensor data into reliable, real-time perception for onboard autonomy. This is a full-lifecycle role where engineers own the development from concept through flight.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- B.S. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, Robotics, or related sciences/physics-based degree (M.S. with 1+ year of relevant experience also considered)
- 2–3 years of industry experience in robotics, perception, autonomy, or related fields (internships not counted, though exceptional internship experience may be considered)
- Experience with computer vision and machine learning for perception, including object detection and/or tracking
- Proficiency in software development with Python and C++
- Familiarity with Linux (Ubuntu) development environments
- Experience with simulation tools such as ROS or similar robotics frameworks
- Background in robotics, vehicle navigation, or autonomous systems
- Understanding of safety-critical systems and failure modes for complex systems (spacecraft, automotive, aviation, industrial, or robotics)
- Exposure to active safety systems, ADAS, or other perception-heavy, safety-critical applications is a plus
- Comfort using modern agentic AI tools (e.g., Claude) in the development workflow
- Ability to work independently and in small, fast-moving teams
- U.S. Citizenship and ability to obtain or have an active TS/SCI clearance (US Person considered)
- On-site work required; remote or hybrid arrangements will not be considered
