Software Engineer I, Perception (New Grad)

Space is a warfighting domain. True Anomaly seeks those with the talent and ambition to build the technology that secures it.

OUR MISSION

True Anomaly delivers decisive capabilities for space superiority. We build autonomous spacecraft, advanced payloads, mission software, and space-based interceptors — enabling the U.S. and its Allies to secure the space environment and counter threats from the ultimate high ground.

OUR VALUES

Be the offset. We create asymmetric advantages with creativity and ingenuity.

What would it take? We challenge assumptions to deliver ambitious results.

It’s the people. Our team is our competitive advantage and we are better together.

BENEFITS & PERKS *

Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, with HSA/HRA options

Generous time off: Flexible Time Off (FTO) for exempt employees, accrued PTO of up to 25 days for non-exempt employees, plus 12 paid holidays; Parental Leave; Sick Leave

Fuel for your day: Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees

And more: 401(k) retirement plan, fitness reimbursement, and Dog Fridays

Equity participation: Equity is included as part of our total compensation package, giving you an opportunity to share in the company’s success.

*Do not apply to fixed term and temporary roles

YOUR MISSION

• You'll work on hybrid perception systems combining classical computer vision with modern deep learning for autonomous spacecraft: building multi-object tracking pipelines that fuse neural network detections with Kalman filtering, developing coordinate transformation chains from pixels to orbital frames, training models on synthetic space imagery, and deploying algorithms onboard under strict compute/power constraints.
• Your work enables spacecraft to detect objects against star fields, track multiple targets through occlusions, discriminate threats from decoys, and generate angle measurements for navigation — using both classical geometric methods and learned representations where each approach excels. This is entry-level work blending traditional robotics perception with modern ML. You'll implement Extended Kalman Filters, train neural networks in PyTorch, write C++ flight code, and see your algorithms operate in orbit.

This is a 3 month temporary employment engagement. There is potential to convert to regular employment based on performance and business need.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Implement classical tracking algorithms: Extended Kalman Filters for state estimation, Hungarian algorithm for data association, track management logic (tentative/confirmed/coasted tracks)

Train neural networks for detection and classification: YOLO for object detection, ResNet-based classifiers for threat discrimination, learned appearance features for re-identification

Build hybrid perception pipelines: neural network detections → classical tracking → coordinate transformations → angle-only measurements for navigation

Develop image processing chains: hot pixel filtering, adaptive thresholding, centroiding, connected component analysis, star catalog matching

Deploy models to edge hardware: quantize neural networks (INT8), integrate with C++ inference engines (ONNX Runtime, TensorRT), optimize for space-qualified processors

Implement coordinate transformations: pixel → camera frame → body frame → Earth-Centered Inertial (ECI), accounting for lens distortion and attitude uncertainty

Generate synthetic training data: render spacecraft in Blender with domain randomization (lighting, attitudes, backgrounds), create labeled datasets for rare scenarios

Validate end-to-end performance: software-in-the-loop simulation, processor-in-the-loop testing, hardware-in-the-loop with real camera feeds

QUALIFICATIONS

Currently pursuing or recently completed Bachelor's or Master's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, robotics, aerospace engineering, or related technical field

Coursework in both computer vision and estimation theory (or willingness to learn both)

Proficiency in Python; some exposure to C++ (we'll teach you more)

Familiarity with either classical tracking (Kalman filters, data association) OR deep learning (PyTorch, training neural networks)

Understanding of linear algebra, probability, and coordinate transformations

Ability to read research papers from both robotics (ICRA, IROS) and ML venues (CVPR, NeurIPS) and implement algorithms

Strong debugging skills: tracking down lost tracks, numerical instability, and model failure modes

Eagerness to learn the intersection of classical perception and modern ML

U.S. Citizen (required for facility access and government contracts)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Experience with Extended Kalman Filters, multi-object tracking, or state estimation

Familiarity with neural network training in PyTorch or TensorFlow: object detection (YOLO, Faster R-CNN), classification, or segmentation

Understanding of coordinate frames: camera intrinsics/extrinsics, quaternions, rotation matrices, ECI/LVLH/RIC frames

Exposure to model optimization for edge deployment: quantization (INT8, FP16), ONNX, TensorRT

Experience with OpenCV, image processing pipelines, or classical feature extraction

Coursework in optimal estimation, sensor fusion, or probabilistic robotics (Kalman/particle filters)

Prior work with synthetic data generation, Blender/Unreal for rendering, or domain randomization

Understanding of data association algorithms: Hungarian algorithm, auction algorithm, JPDA

Familiarity with tracking-by-detection pipelines: detection → association → update → track management

Experience debugging visual systems: false positives, missed detections, track ID switches, covariance tuning

Prior internship or project deploying algorithms to embedded systems (Jetson, mobile, ROS)

Exposure to multi-modal perception: fusing camera + IMU, camera + lidar, or learned sensor fusion

COMPENSATION

Base Salary:

Denver: $75,000

Long Beach: $80,000

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Work Location —Successful candidates will be located near Centennial, CO or Long Beach, CA.

Work environment —the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.

Physical demands —the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below.

#LI-Onsite

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.

True Anomaly is committed to equal employment opportunity on any basis protected by applicable state and federal laws. If you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation, please do not hesitate to let us know.