Object Detection and Tracking Engineer

About the role

Shield AI is a defense‑tech company building autonomous aircraft for complex, contested environments. The Object Detection and Tracking Engineer will design and implement real‑time perception systems that fuse data from EO/IR cameras, radars, IMUs and other mission sensors.

Key responsibilities

• Develop advanced perception algorithms for object detection, classification, and multi‑target tracking across diverse sensor modalities.
• Implement sensor‑fusion frameworks that combine vision, radar and other mission data using probabilistic and deterministic techniques.
• Design state‑estimation capabilities for localization and pose estimation using IMU, GPS, vision and other onboard inputs.
• Analyze sensor Interface Control Documents (ICDs) to ensure correct data handling, interpretation and synchronization.
• Optimize perception pipelines for real‑time performance and robustness in simulation and field environments.
• Support autonomy integration by interfacing perception outputs with planning, behavior and decision‑making modules.
• Validate algorithms with synthetic data, simulation tools and flight‑test campaigns.
• Collaborate with hardware and sensor teams to integrate software on SWaP‑constrained compute platforms.

Required profile

• BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering or equivalent practical experience.
• Typically 10+ years of related experience (or equivalent with advanced degree).
• Hands‑on experience implementing Kalman filters, multi‑target tracking or deep‑learning detection models.
• Familiarity with fusing radar, EO/IR and other sensor data using probabilistic or rule‑based approaches.
• Knowledge of SLAM, visual‑inertial odometry or sensor‑fused localization in real‑time applications.
• Ability to interpret and work with Interface Control Documents and hardware integration specifications.
• Proficiency with version control, debugging and test‑driven development in cross‑functional teams.

Required skills

• Kalman Filters
• Multi‑target tracking
• Deep‑learning based object detection
• Sensor fusion (probabilistic & deterministic)
• SLAM and visual‑inertial odometry
• Sensor‑fused localization
• Version control (e.g., Git)
• Debugging and test‑driven development
• PyTorch
• TensorFlow
• Deployment on SWaP‑constrained platforms

What we offer

• Opportunity to build defining defence technology for the 21st century.
• Work at the forefront of AI, autonomy and next‑generation defence systems.
• Entrepreneurial, mission‑driven environment with high impact on international growth.
• Collaboration with exceptional teams solving complex operational challenges.