Camera Electronics Engineer

Roles and Responsibilities

• Define technical specifications for focal plane arrays (FPAs), including CMOS/CCD/TDI detectors for electro-optical payloads, based on mission requirements.
• Own the architecture and performance of the detector subsystem: including readout electronics, signal conditioning, and interfacing with the main electronics system.
• Own the radiometry of the payload system for all the operating modes.
• Collaborate with optical, system, and electronics engineers to ensure the payload meets MTF and SNR performance targets.
• Translate radiometric and image quality requirements (e.g., dynamic range, noise, saturation albedo) into hardware and configuration parameters.
• Define and evaluate detector readout modes: TDI/dTDI, ROI, binning, global vs. rolling shutter operation, etc.
• Work with firmware and FPGA teams to define detector control sequences and synchronization logic.
• Analyze the impact of spacecraft AOCS (Attitude and Orbit Control System) performance such as jitter and smear on payload image quality.
• Support test and calibration campaigns to validate focal plane performance in the lab and during environmental qualification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor s or Master s in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Applied Physics.
• 2-3 years of experience with imaging sensors and focal plane electronics (space or high-performance industrial cameras).

Must Have

• Experience with CCD/CMOS sensor technologies and their use in industrial or space-based imaging systems.
• Strong background in analog/digital mixed-signal circuit design, preferably including sensor front-ends, power regulation, and timing logic.
• Strong understanding of EO/IR performance metrics (e.g., MTF, SNR, NIIRS, radiometric calibration) and their sensitivity to detector characteristics.
• Experience in collaborating with optics, system engineering, and firmware teams.
• Basic skills of FPGA design and ability to understand VHDL or Verilog.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to solve complex technical challenges.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills to interface with internal teams, partners, and stakeholders.

Good to have

• Familiarity with AOCS-payload interaction with detectors (e.g., jitter effects, line-of-sight stability) is a plus.
• Knowledge of satellite-level systems engineering, payload interfaces, and mission CONOPS.
• Experience designing or analyzing space-qualified imaging payloads, including electronics and opto-mechanics.
• Involvement in in-orbit calibration and anomaly resolution for operational satellite payloads.