Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Zone 5 Technologies is redefining what's possible in unmanned aircraft systems, developing cutting-edge autonomous solutions. The Robotics Perception Engineer will build and integrate real-time vision systems and perception infrastructure for unmanned aerial platforms, ensuring reliable perception performance across diverse operating conditions.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain camera drivers and sensor interfaces for multi-camera systems on embedded platforms
- Build efficient image processing pipelines using GStreamer, V4L2, and Jetson multimedia APIs
- Implement camera calibration workflows including intrinsic, extrinsic, and temporal synchronization
- Integrate off-the-shelf and custom perception algorithms into production autonomy stacks
- Design data logging and telemetry systems for perception subsystem monitoring and debugging
- Build ROS2 nodes for camera capture, sensor fusion, and perception output distribution
- Develop standardized message interfaces and APIs between perception, planning, and control systems
- Create visualization and diagnostic tools for real-time perception system health monitoring
- Implement efficient data serialization and transport for high-bandwidth sensor streams
- Maintain perception software repositories with proper documentation and version control
- Integrate visual-inertial odometry (VIO) and SLAM libraries for state estimation
- Tune EKF/UKF filters for multi-sensor fusion from IMU, cameras, barometers, and rangefinders
- Implement outlier rejection and sensor health monitoring for robust operation
- Optimize algorithm parameters based on flight test data and performance metrics
- Design comprehensive test scenarios in simulation environments
- Develop automated regression test suites for continuous integration of perception updates
- Analyze flight logs and sensor data to identify failure modes and performance degradation
- Create hardware-in-the-loop test setups for pre-flight validation
- Support flight test operations and conduct post-flight performance analysis
Skills
- Bachelor's in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field – equivalent industry experience also welcome
- 1-4+ years of experience in robotics perception, computer vision, or sensor integration
- Proficient in C++14/17 with understanding of modern software development practices
- Strong hands-on experience with ROS2 architecture, packages, and development workflows
- Solid understanding of camera systems, image sensors, and computer vision fundamentals
- Experience with sensor calibration procedures and multi-sensor time synchronization
- Familiarity with Linux development environments and embedded systems
- Strong debugging skills and experience with system-level integration
- Experience with camera drivers, GStreamer, V4L2, or similar multimedia frameworks
- Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Jetson platforms (Orin, Xavier, AGX)
- Prior work with small UAVs, drones, or mobile robotics platforms
- Familiarity with PX4 or ArduPilot autopilot systems and MAVLink protocol
- Experience with state estimation techniques (EKF, UKF, particle filters)
- Knowledge of VIO/SLAM frameworks (OpenVINS, VINS-Fusion, ORB-SLAM)
- Python skills for data analysis, visualization, and tooling development
- Understanding of real-time systems and computational performance optimization
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines for robotics software
- Background in sensor fusion, optical flow, or feature-based tracking
Benefits
- Competitive total compensation package
- Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
- 401k with company-match
- 4 weeks of paid time off each year
- 12 annual company holidays
Company Overview
Zone 5 Technologies is an aviation component manufacturing company that develops and tests unmanned aircraft systems. It was founded in 2011, and is headquartered in San Luis Obispo, California, USA, with a workforce of 201-500 employees. Its website is https://www.zone5tech.com.