Senior Software Engineer: Systems Engineer

The University of Washington’s Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, & Ecosystem Studies (CICOES) is hiring a Senior Software Engineer to develop and integrate imaging, computer vision, robotics, and real-time systems for scientific research. The role leads system engineering, AI model development, field deployments, and integration of imaging systems with aircraft and uncrewed aerial systems.

Responsibilities:

• Lead complex systems integration, combining software nodes, camera drivers, and object trackers into cohesive platforms
• Develop software architecture utilizing Python, Bash, ROS, tmux, and Supervisor across multiple hardware nodes
• Oversee multi-modal data streams, creating synchronous replay systems for multiple cameras across distributed hardware
• Work with research scientists to learn data processing routines, requirements, and challenges and develop cloud-based solutions to improve efficiency (GCP)
• Train and deploy computer vision models, including R-CNN-based object and person detectors using EO/IR sensor fusion
• Implement 3D vision technologies, evaluating and utilizing stereoscopic, time-of-flight (ToF), laser line scanners, structured light, and structure-from-motion (SfM) systems
• Program and test autonomous vehicles, integrating sensor payloads like LiDAR and stereo cameras onto Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs)
• Deploy technology in remote field environments, including extreme heat, extreme cold, and working in small aircraft at low altitude over the ocean, managing real-world testing of vision systems and interfacing directly with research scientists
• Lead projects designing and managing complex mechanical and systems engineering under rigorous safety and regulatory frameworks (e.g., NRC, DOE)
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams of research scientists, aircraft engineers and pilots to successfully integrate, test, and deploy

Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree in computer engineering, computer sciences, software engineering or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of post-graduate professional experience in engineering roles
• Equivalent experience cannot be substituted for degree requirement
• Familiarity with computer vision: R-CNN architectures, EO/IR sensor fusion, activity recognition, and multi-modal camera streams
• Familiarity with Hands-on integration with 2D and 3D vision systems (Stereo, ToF, LLS, SfM), LiDAR, and Unmanned Aerial Systems Programming in Python, C++, Bash
• Expertise in systems engineering, algorithm development, and real-time software solutions
• Skilled in integrating hardware and software for advanced applications, such as deep learning for image processing, tracking, and detection
• Proven track record of integrating complex software nodes, drivers, and sensors into cohesive platforms
• Expertise with development and integration of the KAMERA AI enabled multi-modal aerial imaging system
• Over 5 years experience of post-graduate professional experience in engineering roles
• Extensive experience with embedded systems, including Nvidia Jetson platforms
• Strong programming skills in Python, C++, and proficiency with software tools like Docker, Git, and Ansible
• Proven track record of working on aerial platforms, both crewed and uncrewed
• Experience deploying and testing robotics/vision systems in real-world field environments
• Experience with image processing pipeline development in GCP cloud environments
• Experience working long hours in remote field conditions
• Experience working on imaging systems in small aircraft
• Experience working long hours in challenging remote field conditions, such as the Arctic
• Experience working on imaging systems in small aircraft during scientific survey operations over the ocean