Autonomy Engineer, Perception and Tracking (Software Engineer)
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Summary
Designs and owns perception, tracking, and navigation software for autonomous spacecraft on Redwire's Special Programs team in Chantilly, VA — blending classical/geometric computer vision with machine learning in C++/Linux, plus flight software, simulation, and hardware-in-the-loop testing through launch and on-orbit operations.
Redwire is an innovative space and defense technology company driving advanced capabilities across the aerospace sector. We are looking for a leader who can contribute to concept of operations development, mission solution design, and strategic analysis for spacecraft programs supporting National Security Space. This includes work spanning space domain awareness, space resiliency, mission autonomy, structures, sensors, and next‑generation space systems.
ABOUT THE TEAM
Redwire’s Special Programs team is dedicated to expanding our autonomy capabilities across all domains, enhancing Space Domain Awareness, Space Situational Awareness, Command, Control, and Communications, and Modeling and Simulation. We're developing next generation multi-domain autonomy. Integrated hardware and software for air and space platforms.
ABOUT THE JOB
We are looking for an Autonomy Engineer, Perception and Computer Vision to join our rapidly growing team in Chantilly, VA. In this role you will be responsible for working on and influencing architecture for next generation space perception capabilities. This role will work on perception systems to include but not limited to perception tracking and navigation algorithms, flight software, AI&T, system implementation, and multidisciplinary optimization for high performance compute contexts. The autonomy engineer will work closely with other subsystems teams like Optics, Flight Software, GNC, Avionics, Mission Operations, and RF. The Autonomy Engineer will work to design algorithms, use physics based modeling for synthetic data generation
WHAT YOU’LL DO
• Build, refine, and own core perception libraries and real‑time application software essential to autonomous mission systems.
• Combine classical and geometric computer vision techniques with modern machine learning to deliver robust perception and tracking capabilities.
• Develop and integrate computer vision software and hardware across spacecraft and airborne platforms, partnering closely with AI&T teams to ensure seamless implementation.
• Create software‑defined autonomy approaches that enable spacecraft to maneuver, navigate, and execute mission objectives reliably and intelligently.
• Author and execute test plans to validate perception systems from ground checkout through on‑orbit commissioning and sustained operations.
• Work across engineering disciplines to architect, implement, and verify complex features and system behaviors.
• Translate operator and customer needs into practical, high‑performance features while balancing usability with technical constraints.
• Support aggressive testing timelines, launch windows, and on‑orbit operations that demand precision and resilience.
• Design flight software, firmware, algorithms, and simulation assets that drive onboard autonomy and situational awareness.
• Build autonomy tools that support dynamic space operations, real‑time decision making, and resilient spacecraft behavior.
• Develop, refine, and run test processes that ensure system reliability across nominal and off‑nominal scenarios.
• Define automated fault‑detection logic and system responses that enhance operational safety and robustness.
• Deliver hardware‑in‑the‑loop and Monte Carlo simulation environments to evaluate system performance under realistic mission conditions.
• Combine classical and geometric computer vision techniques with modern machine learning to deliver robust perception and tracking capabilities.
• Develop and integrate computer vision software and hardware across spacecraft and airborne platforms, partnering closely with AI&T teams to ensure seamless implementation.
• Create software‑defined autonomy approaches that enable spacecraft to maneuver, navigate, and execute mission objectives reliably and intelligently.
• Author and execute test plans to validate perception systems from ground checkout through on‑orbit commissioning and sustained operations.
• Work across engineering disciplines to architect, implement, and verify complex features and system behaviors.
• Translate operator and customer needs into practical, high‑performance features while balancing usability with technical constraints.
• Support aggressive testing timelines, launch windows, and on‑orbit operations that demand precision and resilience.
• Design flight software, firmware, algorithms, and simulation assets that drive onboard autonomy and situational awareness.
• Build autonomy tools that support dynamic space operations, real‑time decision making, and resilient spacecraft behavior.
• Develop, refine, and run test processes that ensure system reliability across nominal and off‑nominal scenarios.
• Define automated fault‑detection logic and system responses that enhance operational safety and robustness.
• Deliver hardware‑in‑the‑loop and Monte Carlo simulation environments to evaluate system performance under realistic mission conditions.
IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS
- MS or PhD in Machine Learning, Robotics, Computer Science, or Image Science with a focus on Computer Vision.
- BS in Computer Science, Machine Learning, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
- Extensive hands‑on experience developing, optimizing, and benchmarking ML algorithms on large, complex datasets
- Strong proficiency in C++ on Linux‑based systems.
- Experience with one or more key perception areas: object detection, object tracking, instance or semantic segmentation, semantic change detection, or natural feature tracking (NFT).
- Background applying methods such as SLAM, multi‑view geometry, structure‑from‑motion, sensor fusion, correlation filters, or uncharacterized reconstruction to space‑ or air‑based systems.
- Familiarity with mission‑critical domains such as terminal guidance, rendezvous and docking, orbital mechanics for propulsive spacecraft, or spacecraft/missile GNC.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with Python, Rust, C++, and Linux development environments.
- Motivation to engineer high‑assurance software and hardware for demanding space missions.
- Strong foundation in computer vision, navigation, image processing, SLAM, OpenCV, and NFT‑based tracking.
- Prior testing or prototyping of CV subsystems in laboratories simulating environmental conditions found in space.
- Experience with orbital mechanics and tracking of resident space objects.
- Background in spacecraft operations or satellite command and control, especially in contexts requiring high reliability and uptime.
- Hands‑on work with FlatSats, hardware‑in‑the‑loop setups, or digital simulators for validating both nominal and fault behaviors.
- Experience developing 3‑DOF and 6‑DOF dynamics simulation models for GNC analysis and verification.
Pay range
$102,000 - $140,000 per year
Grow with us as we innovate the next generation capabilities for a new era of space exploration! We offer a highly competitive benefits package along with a commitment to our core values of Integrity, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, and Excellence.
Don’t meet every single requirement above? No worries. We want people who can grow, collaborate and build a stronger team. We strive to build a diverse and inclusive culture, so if you’re excited about this job posting, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Redwire Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with MIS is governed on the basis of 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.
All offers of employment at Redwire Space are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check.
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. Learn more about the Click Here
EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS:
This position may require access to information, materials, or technology subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). To comply with these regulations, applicants may be asked to provide documentation to verify their status as a "U.S. person" as defined under the ITAR and EAR, or their eligibility to obtain any required U.S. Government export authorization. Redwire complies with all applicable anti-discrimination laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act, and does not discriminate on the basis of citizenship status or national origin except as required by law.
This position may require access to information, materials, or technology subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). To comply with these regulations, applicants may be asked to provide documentation to verify their status as a "U.S. person" as defined under the ITAR and EAR, or their eligibility to obtain any required U.S. Government export authorization. Redwire complies with all applicable anti-discrimination laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act, and does not discriminate on the basis of citizenship status or national origin except as required by law.