{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"dd9dfd555c4c5676978291a9","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/dd9dfd555c4c5676978291a9","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/dd9dfd555c4c5676978291a9","title":"Perception Engineer III","description":"At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.\nWe're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next-generation flight systems, you belong here.\nWe are seeking a Senior Robotics Perception Engineer to serve as the perception technical lead embedded within a program team, developing seeker, target state estimation, and world modeling capabilities on top of our common AI/ML platform. You will own perception architecture and delivery for the program while contributing reusable capabilities back to the platform, working across the full pipeline from sensor data to actionable world state consumed by autonomy and mission software.\nResponsibilities:\nTarget State Estimation & Seeker Systems\nDesign and develop target detection, tracking, and state estimation pipelines that produce robust track kinematics under challenging observation conditions\nImplement track initiation, maintenance, association, and termination logic with well-characterized uncertainty\nDevelop and tune nonlinear state estimators (EKF, UKF, particle filters) for target motion modeling\nCharacterize seeker performance across engagement geometries, environmental conditions, and target signatures\nDefine confidence and covariance outputs that downstream autonomy can reason about\nWorld State Modeling & Multi-Source Fusion\nArchitect the world state representation that fuses self-state, target tracks, terrain, threats, and mission context into a coherent model\nIntegrate outputs from VIO/SLAM, sensor fusion, and target tracking into a unified perception picture\nManage temporal alignment, coordinate frames, and data association across heterogeneous sensor streams\nDefine perception-to-autonomy interfaces with clear semantics for state, uncertainty, and freshness\nAutonomy Integration & System Architecture\nOwn the perception architecture for the program and drive alignment with autonomy, guidance, and mission software teams\nDesign DDS topic structures and message contracts for perception outputs within a WOSA-aligned architecture\nBuild ROS2 nodes and libraries that expose perception capabilities through clean, versioned interfaces\nContribute reusable perception components back to the common AI/ML platform for use across programs\nBalance program-specific customization against platform-level standardization\nEmbedded Performance & Deployment\nDevelop and optimize perception code in C++ for deterministic performance on embedded compute\nProfile compute, memory, and I/O to meet real-time constraints on resource-limited platforms\nMake architectural decisions about what runs on GPU, CPU, or dedicated accelerators\nSupport integration, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and field validation of perception subsystems\nTechnical Leadership\nWrite technical design documents, RFCs, and trade studies that drive perception architecture decisions\nMentor junior perception engineers through code review, pairing, and technical direction\nRepresent perception in program-level technical reviews and cross-team planning\nTranslate program requirements into perception subsystem requirements with measurable acceptance criteria\nQualifications:\nBachelor's in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or related field (Master's preferred) – equivalent industry experience also welcome\n6-9+ years of experience in robotics perception, state estimation, or sensor fusion\nStrong proficiency in modern C++ for real-time embedded systems, with an emphasis on determinism, memory discipline, and performance\nHands-on experience with ROS2 and DDS-based middleware in production or program-delivered systems\nDemonstrable experience developing and tuning nonlinear state estimators (EKF, UKF, or particle filters) for real applications\nWorking knowledge of at least one relevant area: target tracking, SLAM, VIO, or multi-sensor fusion – with the ability and interest to grow into the others\nExperience deploying perception software on embedded compute platforms\nStrong foundation in linear algebra, probability, coordinate frames, and estimation theory\nTrack record of owning a technical subsystem within a program or product from architecture through delivery\nAbility to communicate technical trade-offs to both engineering and program stakeholders\nPreferred:\nExperience with seeker systems, target tracking, or guidance-adjacent perception in a defense context\nHands-on work with WOSA, MOSA, or other open architecture standards\nDeep DDS experience including QoS design, discovery, and performance tuning\nNVIDIA Jetson deployment experience including profiling, memory management, and platform-specific optimization\nExperience with SLAM/VIO frameworks (OpenVINS, VINS-Fusion, ORB-SLAM, GTSAM, Ceres)\nFamiliarity with PX4 or ArduPilot autopilot integration and MAVLink\nUnderstanding of multi-hypothesis tracking, JPDA, or MHT approaches\nBackground integrating classical perception with learned components (detection, segmentation, feature learning)\nGPU acceleration experience (CUDA, TensorRT) for perception workloads\nExperience with hardware-in-the-loop test infrastructure and flight test data analysis\nFamiliarity with model-based development workflows (Simulink, ROS2 code generation)\nPublications, patents, or prior program contributions in tracking, estimation, or autonomous systems\nAbility to obtain or maintain a security clearance\nWhat's in it for you:\nBenefits:\nCompetitive total compensation package\nComprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.\n401k with company-match\n4 weeks of paid time off each year\n12 annual company holidays\nWhy Join Zone 5 Technologies?\nInnovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.\nCollaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible.\nCareer Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.\nIf you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team!\nIn compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.\nZone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov.","company":"Zone 5 Technologies","rawCompany":"zone 5 technologies","city":"Denver","state":"CO","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-14T13:23:01.629Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2199.08","title":"Robotics Engineers","slug":"robotics-engineers"},{"code":"15-1299.08","title":"Computer Systems Engineers/Architects","slug":"computer-systems-engineers-architects"},{"code":"17-2199.05","title":"Mechatronics Engineers","slug":"mechatronics-engineers"}],"industries":[{"code":"541715","title":"Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)","slug":"research-and-development-in-the-physical-engineering-and-life-sciences-except-nanotechnology-and-biotechnology"},{"code":"334511","title":"Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing","slug":"search-detection-navigation-guidance-aeronautical-and-nautical-system-and-instrument-manufacturing"},{"code":"541330","title":"Engineering Services","slug":"engineering-services"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Perception Engineer III","description":"At Zone 5 Technologies, we're redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology - solving complex challenges that matter.\nWe're building the future of UAS capabilities, and we're looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you're driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next-generation flight systems, you belong here.\nWe are seeking a Senior Robotics Perception Engineer to serve as the perception technical lead embedded within a program team, developing seeker, target state estimation, and world modeling capabilities on top of our common AI/ML platform. You will own perception architecture and delivery for the program while contributing reusable capabilities back to the platform, working across the full pipeline from sensor data to actionable world state consumed by autonomy and mission software.\nResponsibilities:\nTarget State Estimation & Seeker Systems\nDesign and develop target detection, tracking, and state estimation pipelines that produce robust track kinematics under challenging observation conditions\nImplement track initiation, maintenance, association, and termination logic with well-characterized uncertainty\nDevelop and tune nonlinear state estimators (EKF, UKF, particle filters) for target motion modeling\nCharacterize seeker performance across engagement geometries, environmental conditions, and target signatures\nDefine confidence and covariance outputs that downstream autonomy can reason about\nWorld State Modeling & Multi-Source Fusion\nArchitect the world state representation that fuses self-state, target tracks, terrain, threats, and mission context into a coherent model\nIntegrate outputs from VIO/SLAM, sensor fusion, and target tracking into a unified perception picture\nManage temporal alignment, coordinate frames, and data association across heterogeneous sensor streams\nDefine perception-to-autonomy interfaces with clear semantics for state, uncertainty, and freshness\nAutonomy Integration & System Architecture\nOwn the perception architecture for the program and drive alignment with autonomy, guidance, and mission software teams\nDesign DDS topic structures and message contracts for perception outputs within a WOSA-aligned architecture\nBuild ROS2 nodes and libraries that expose perception capabilities through clean, versioned interfaces\nContribute reusable perception components back to the common AI/ML platform for use across programs\nBalance program-specific customization against platform-level standardization\nEmbedded Performance & Deployment\nDevelop and optimize perception code in C++ for deterministic performance on embedded compute\nProfile compute, memory, and I/O to meet real-time constraints on resource-limited platforms\nMake architectural decisions about what runs on GPU, CPU, or dedicated accelerators\nSupport integration, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and field validation of perception subsystems\nTechnical Leadership\nWrite technical design documents, RFCs, and trade studies that drive perception architecture decisions\nMentor junior perception engineers through code review, pairing, and technical direction\nRepresent perception in program-level technical reviews and cross-team planning\nTranslate program requirements into perception subsystem requirements with measurable acceptance criteria\nQualifications:\nBachelor's in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or related field (Master's preferred) – equivalent industry experience also welcome\n6-9+ years of experience in robotics perception, state estimation, or sensor fusion\nStrong proficiency in modern C++ for real-time embedded systems, with an emphasis on determinism, memory discipline, and performance\nHands-on experience with ROS2 and DDS-based middleware in production or program-delivered systems\nDemonstrable experience developing and tuning nonlinear state estimators (EKF, UKF, or particle filters) for real applications\nWorking knowledge of at least one relevant area: target tracking, SLAM, VIO, or multi-sensor fusion – with the ability and interest to grow into the others\nExperience deploying perception software on embedded compute platforms\nStrong foundation in linear algebra, probability, coordinate frames, and estimation theory\nTrack record of owning a technical subsystem within a program or product from architecture through delivery\nAbility to communicate technical trade-offs to both engineering and program stakeholders\nPreferred:\nExperience with seeker systems, target tracking, or guidance-adjacent perception in a defense context\nHands-on work with WOSA, MOSA, or other open architecture standards\nDeep DDS experience including QoS design, discovery, and performance tuning\nNVIDIA Jetson deployment experience including profiling, memory management, and platform-specific optimization\nExperience with SLAM/VIO frameworks (OpenVINS, VINS-Fusion, ORB-SLAM, GTSAM, Ceres)\nFamiliarity with PX4 or ArduPilot autopilot integration and MAVLink\nUnderstanding of multi-hypothesis tracking, JPDA, or MHT approaches\nBackground integrating classical perception with learned components (detection, segmentation, feature learning)\nGPU acceleration experience (CUDA, TensorRT) for perception workloads\nExperience with hardware-in-the-loop test infrastructure and flight test data analysis\nFamiliarity with model-based development workflows (Simulink, ROS2 code generation)\nPublications, patents, or prior program contributions in tracking, estimation, or autonomous systems\nAbility to obtain or maintain a security clearance\nWhat's in it for you:\nBenefits:\nCompetitive total compensation package\nComprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.\n401k with company-match\n4 weeks of paid time off each year\n12 annual company holidays\nWhy Join Zone 5 Technologies?\nInnovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.\nCollaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what's possible.\nCareer Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.\nIf you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team!\nIn compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.\nZone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E-Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E-Verify: https://www.e-verify.gov.","datePosted":"2026-08-14T13:23:01.629Z","dateModified":"2026-08-14T13:23:01.629Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Zone 5 Technologies","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Denver","addressRegion":"CO","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"dd9dfd555c4c5676978291a9"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/dd9dfd555c4c5676978291a9"}}