# Object Detection and Tracking Engineer

**Company:** [Shield AI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/shield-ai)
**Location:** London, United Kingdom
**Role:** ML Engineering
**Experience:** 10+ years
**Skills:** Object Detection, Multi-Target Tracking, Sensor Fusion, Kalman Filters, State Estimation, Slam, Visual-Inertial Odometry, PyTorch, TensorFlow, Radar, Eo/Ir Cameras, Imu, Gps, Version Control, Test-Driven Development
**Posted:** 2026-06-25

> Build and integrate real-time perception algorithms for autonomous aircraft, including object detection, multi-target tracking, sensor fusion, and state estimation across vision, radar, and inertial sensors. The role requires a relevant engineering degree and 7–10+ years of related experience depending on education.

## Job Description

## Responsibilities
- Develop advanced perception algorithms for object detection, classification, and multi-target tracking across diverse sensor modalities.
- Implement sensor fusion frameworks integrating vision systems, radar, and other mission sensors using probabilistic and deterministic techniques.
- Develop state estimation capabilities for localization and pose estimation using IMU, GPS, vision, and other onboard sensing inputs.
- Analyze sensor Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and technical specifications to ensure correct data handling, interpretation, and synchronization.
- Optimize perception pipelines for performance, robustness, and real-time efficiency in simulation and real-world environments.
- Support autonomy integration by interfacing perception outputs with planning, behaviors, and decision-making modules.
- Validate algorithms using synthetic data, simulation environments, and field testing.
- Collaborate with hardware and sensor teams to integrate algorithms with onboard compute platforms and sensor payloads.
- Contribute state-of-the-art techniques for real-time perception on unmanned aircraft operating in complex, GPS-denied, or contested environments.
- Travel approximately 10–15% of the year to office locations, customer sites, and flight integration events.

## Requirements
- Bachelor's or master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a similar field, or equivalent practical experience.
- Typically at least 10 years of related experience with a bachelor's degree, 9 years with a master's degree, or 7 years with a PhD, or equivalent work experience.
- Experience implementing Kalman filters, multi-target tracking, or deep-learning-based detection models.
- Familiarity with fusing data from radar, EO/IR cameras, or other sensors using probabilistic or rule-based approaches.
- Familiarity with SLAM, visual-inertial odometry, or sensor-fused localization in real-time applications.
- Ability to interpret and work with ICDs and hardware integration specifications.
- Proficiency with version control, debugging, and test-driven development in cross-functional teams.

## Nice-to-haves
- Hands-on integration or algorithm development with airborne sensing systems.
- Experience with PyTorch or TensorFlow, particularly for vision-based object detection or classification.
- Experience deploying perception software on SWaP-constrained platforms.
- Familiarity with validating perception systems during flight tests or operational environments.
- Understanding of sensing challenges in denied or degraded conditions.
- Exposure to perception applications across air, maritime, and ground platforms.

## Benefits
- Opportunity to work at the forefront of AI, autonomy, and next-generation defense systems.
- Mission-driven, entrepreneurial environment.
- Opportunity to contribute to international growth and strategic defense partnerships.
- Collaboration with teams solving complex operational challenges.

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