UK - Perception & Vision Systems Engineer - Autonomous Systems

• Reports to: Head of Engineering
• Type: Full time - permanent

Role Overview

We are seeking a specialist Perception & Vision Systems Engineer to lead the development ofhigh-performance imaging pipelines for our interceptor drone's seeker.

This position focuses onthe execution and optimisation of vision systems in real-time, high-stakes environments.

The role centers on the architecture of low-latency video pipelines—from MIPI/IP camera driversthrough to CUDA-accelerated object detection and tracking.

You will be responsible for ensuringour seeker can process high-resolution, high-FPS thermal and optical data, maintaining a stableand accurate state estimate that our guidance systems can rely on.

Key Responsibilities

• Vision Pipeline Architecture & Optimisation
• High-Throughput Processing: Design and optimise pipelines to handle large datapackets (high-resolution video frames) at maximum FPS with minimal latency.
• Hardware Acceleration: Implement and tune vision algorithms using Open CV, CUDA, and Tensor RT to leverage the full power of NVIDIA Jetson edge hardware.
• GStreamer Experience: Build, debug, and maintain GStreamer pipelines for encoding, decoding, and frame manipulation across multiple camera modalities.
• Algorithm Development: Extend existing object detection and tracking systems, utilizingboth deep learning and classical methods (e. g., ORB, SIFT, SURF) for robust targetlocking.
• Sensor Integration & Hardware
• Camera Systems: Lead the integration of high-speed MIPI sensors, IP cameras, and
• Thermal (LWIR/MWIR) imaging systems.
• Driver Development: Troubleshoot and optimize camera drivers and V4L2 interfaces toensure stable data acquisition under flight conditions.
• Coordinate Geometry: Manage spatial transformations and coordinate systems to bridgethe gap between 2D image-space detections and 3D world-space tracking.
• System Integration & Simulation
• ROS2 Integration: Maintain the perception-to-system interface via ROS2, ensuring visionoutputs are efficiently consumed by the wider autonomous stack.
• Synthetic Data & Simulation: Utilize Unreal Engine, Unity, Gazebo or Other simulators togenerate synthetic datasets and validate perception performance in virtual "edge case"scenarios.
• Testing & Validation: Implement rigorous unit and functional testing for perceptionmodules, focusing on deterministic performance and edge-case reliability. Support fieldtesting.
• Required Experience
• Industry Experience
• 3+ years in a specialised Vision Engineering or Perception role (UAV, Autonomous
• Vehicles, or Defence).
• 5–10 years professional engineering experience in C++ and Python, with a focus on
• real-time data processing.
• Technical Expertise
• Edge Computing: Deep experience with the NVIDIA Jetson ecosystem (Orin/Xavier) and
• CUDA acceleration.
• Video Infrastructure: Expert-level knowledge of GStreamer, video codecs (H.264/H.265), and high-bandwidth image handling.
• Computer Vision: Proficiency in Open CV and the deployment of models via Tensor RT.
• Spatial Math: Comfortable with 3D geometry, coordinate transformations, and sensorcalibration workflows.
• Embedded Linux: Comfortable working in Linux environments, including driver-leveltroubleshooting and system-level performance tuning.
• Git and Agile Methodologies
• Preferred Skills
• Experience with Thermal/Infrared imaging and multi-spectral sensor fusion.
• Familiarity with classical feature extraction and matching (SURF, SIFT, ORB) for GPS-denied navigation or tracking.
• Hands-on experience with synthetic data generation pipelines (Air Sim, Gazebo, orcustom Unreal/Unity plugins).
• Understanding of IP-based vision protocols (RTSP/UDP) and low-level MIPI CSI-2specifications.
• Object oriented programming.
• Full Driving License - willingness to travel to support testing and demos
• Attributes & Mindset
• Data-Centric: You treat every frame as a critical packet of information where latency isthe primary enemy.
• Hardware-Aware: You don't just write code; you write code that understands theconstraints and capabilities of the silicon it runs on.
• Iterative Prototyper: Comfortable in fast-paced R&D, moving quickly from a Pythonproof-of-concept to a highly optimised C++ production node.
• Rigorous Tester: Dedicated to functional safety, ensuring the seeker performs reliablyin diverse lighting and thermal conditions.
• Comfortable working with multiple engineering disciplines in a small tight-knit team.
• Adaptable & Resilient: Stay calm and focused under pressure, maintaining a positiveattitude that motivates others, adapting approach as challenges arise.

We believe in the value of working together in person and expect team members to beoffice-based for the majority of the working week.

At the same time, we take a flexible pragmaticapproach to working patterns, including start and finish times and remote working, to support ahealthy work-life balance while meeting the needs of the team and project.

We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team where everyone is treated withrespect and has the opportunity to contribute and succeed.

We welcome applications frompeople of all backgrounds and are focused on creating a working environment where differentperspectives, experiences and ideas are valued

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