Senior Computer Vision Engineer full_time

Astroscale UK is Astroscale UK is looking for a Computer Vision (CV) Engineer to join our team within the wider Algorithms Group.

The technology which Astroscale is developing to capture uncontrolled space debris is truly pioneering and will reclaim our orbital environments for future generations. This technology heavily depends on complex CV subsystem which enable our spacecraft to carry out their missions. Rendezvous, proximity operations (RPO) and docking with uncontrolled and sometimes unprepared objects is no easy endeavour; we are therefore looking for someone who is ready to work with a group of like-minded CV Engineers to face the many challenges ahead of us and help make history.

The CV team is responsible for all aspects of Astroscale’s CV subsystem inclusive of algorithms, simulations, and hardware. In your role as Senior CV Engineer, you will be involved in designing and prototyping the CV algorithms for AS missions as well as supporting the validation and testing campaign.

The successful candidate will join an experienced and competent group of like-minded individuals who make up the global CV team and bring an optimal mix of CV experience from both the commercial and academic worlds. 

In addition to technical skills, the successful candidate must be a team player and have the ability to deliver in accordance with the various drivers associated with commercial organisations, whether these are contractual, schedule or other.

Responsibilities 

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to:

• Design and develop novel computer vision algorithms for space object detection and tracking, and 6 Degrees of Freedom pose estimation for space applications.
• Support CV hardware procurement for Astroscale missions
• Contribute to CV verification & validation planning and execution
• Support the CV subsystem test activities including hardware-in-the-loop
• Support the integration and testing of CV software implementation
• Support the CV hardware procurement activities working collaboratively with vendors and supplier chain management engineers. 
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines (Systems, Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC), Flight Dynamics, etc. ) in the planning, design and development of Astroscale missions/systems to ensure software and hardware performance and compatibility
• Support in-orbit operation as a member of CV team (e.g. analysis of CV hardware and algorithm performance, definition of commissioning plan for CV hardware)
• Review other engineers work and guide more junior engineers in the field.
• Conduct state-of-the-art research into CV algorithm designs relevant to Astroscale’s missions. 
• Provide technical support for RPO bids and proposals.
• Contribute to system level activities, such as defining FMECA (Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) and FDIR (Fault/Failure Detection, Isolation, and Recovery) processes

Essential Skills

• Degree level knowledge of an engineering, scientific or mathematical discipline, or equivalent science based/engineering experience 
• Experience in mixing image data from different sources; real and synthetic. 
• Hands-on experience designing and developing CV Solutions 
• Experience with some, or all, of
  • Industrial Experience with Computer Vision Applications 
  • Detection, Tracking and Classification methods 
  • Programming languages such as Python, C/C++  
  • Version Control systems (Git) 
• Ability to interpret optical raw sensor data and understand their properties like noise, responsivity, spatial distribution, etc., 
• Experience with designing experimental testbed for generating/collecting data to be used for algorithms training.

Desirable skills

• Masters or PhD in Computer Vision, Machine Learning, or relevant field 
• Experience in space applications. 
• Experience with Lidar-based CV application. 
• Experience with ML and deep learning frameworks like PyTorch 
• Experience with multi-view geometry, pose estimation and SLAM 
• Experience with Domain Adaptation 

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting edge technology
• Flexible working around core hours, and 9 day working fortnight (optional) in a friendly and supportive environment
• Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements)
• 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday
• Life insurance and long-term sick pay
• Private healthcare (taxable benefit)
• Relocation allowance
• Visa sponsorship for employees considered
• State of the art office, and cleanroom facility
• Regular social events 

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell) ), with potential for some travel to Astroscale Japan (Tokyo)

About Astroscale

We aim to deliver cutting edge technologies that will become part of routine commercial space operations by 2030.

Astroscale is the first private company with a vision to secure the safe and sustainable development of space for the benefit of future generations, and the only company dedicated to in-orbit servicing across all orbits. Founded in 2013, we are developing innovative and scalable solutions across the spectrum of in-orbit servicing missions, including End of Life services, Active Debris Removal, In-situ Space Situational Awareness and Life Extension Services, to create sustainable space systems and mitigate against the hazardous build-up of debris in space.

Astroscale is an Equal Opportunities employer and embraces a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants, including minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Note to recruitment agencies: Astroscale operates a preferred Supplier List, and we do not accept unsolicited agency approaches. Please do not forward candidate CVs or details in response to this advert, or to any Astroscale employee.