Sensors Engineer presso Blue Water Autonomy

The Role:  
You will lead the development and integration of sensor systems on our autonomous ships, playing a key role in shaping the future of naval technology. We are seeking someone who thrives as part of a purpose-driven team.  

What You’ll Do: 

• Define sensor system specifications based on application requirements, including environmental sensing, navigation, and diagnostics. 

• Design, integrate, and optimize sensor arrays for real-time data acquisition and processing. 

• Select and manage third-party sensor suppliers and integration partners. 

• Conduct signal processing, data analysis, and validation experiments to ensure sensor accuracy and reliability in harsh maritime environments. 

• Develop calibration and diagnostic procedures for sensor systems. 

• Implement embedded software and firmware to interface with various sensor types, ensuring robust communication and data integrity. 

• Collaborate closely with autonomy software team to develop and implement sensor fusion algorithms to enhance situational awareness and decision-making. 

• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams (software, electrical, mechanical, etc.) to ensure seamless integration of sensor systems with other onboard systems. 

• Ensure compliance with regulatory standards, safety protocols, and environmental regulations. 

Who You Are: 

• Solid background in sensor technologies, signal processing, and real-time data acquisition. 

• Experience with various sensor modalities, such as IMUs, LiDAR, cameras, GNSS, radar, sonar, and environmental sensors. 

• Strong understanding of sensor fusion techniques and algorithm development. 

• Practical and hands-on. Comfortable with hardware integration, debugging, and testing in field environments. 

• Internal drive to seek excellence. You are curious and constantly learning and you inspire those around you to be their best. 

• Ability to thrive under pressure and time constraints. Highly motivated, self-starter with great attention to detail and a big-picture systems-level understanding. 

• History of working through ambiguity and developing sensor systems from a clean sheet, including software architecture, implementation, integration, testing, debugging, and deployment. 

• Thrive working in a high-performance team with a “get it done attitude” and a distaste for bureaucracy and waste. 

Nice To Haves: 

• Experience with embedded programming in C/C++ and Python. 

• Familiarity with ROS (Robot Operating System) for sensor integration and control. 

• Experience with real-time sensor data processing and machine learning techniques. 

• Experience on the ocean and an understanding of maritime environmental factors affecting sensors. 

• Ability to obtain and hold a US secret security clearance. 

What We Offer 

• Incredibly high-caliber teammates - you’ll work directly with our co-founders and technical leads 

• A mission-driven environment designing technology that protects American lives and democracy 

• Significant ownership and influence over how reliability and quality are built at scale 

• A fast-paced, creative culture that values clarity, teamwork, and decisive execution 

• Equal opportunity employer. All hiring is contingent on eligibility to work in the U.S.; we are unable to sponsor or transfer visas 

Compensation

• Salary Range: $150,000-$190,000 annual base salary
• Additional compensation: Startup equity options
• Benefits: health, dental, vision, PTO
• Final compensation will depend on experience and skill level