Algorithm State Estimation Development Engineer Jobs in California

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century's most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril's family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years. ABOUT THE TEAM Anduril's Space team is dedicated to expanding our AI-powered capabilities into the final frontier, enhancing Space Domain Awareness, Space Control, and Command and Control for U.S. military and allied partners. We're developing fully integrated hardware and software systems, including Lattice for Space Missions and modular payloads, to address growing threats in space and ensure our Guardians maintain a decisive advantage in this contested war-fighting domain. ABOUT THE JOB We are looking for a Tracking Software Engineer to join our rapidly growing team in Foothill Ranch, CA. In this role, you will be responsible for developing 2D and 3D tracking algorithms that maintain custody of space objects, processing sensor detections and messages into actionable tracks for space situational awareness missions. You will design and implement multi-target tracking systems using advanced state estimation and data association techniques, develop physics-based models to validate performance, and work closely with software teams to deploy your algorithms into operational systems. This will require deep expertise in tracking algorithms, state estimation (Kalman filtering), data association methods (JPDA, MHT), proficiency in MATLAB, Python, and C++, and experience with modeling and simulation. If you are someone who enjoys solving challenging tracking problems involving clutter, maneuvering targets, contested sensing environments, and real-time mission constraints then this role is for you. WHAT YOU'LL DO * Perform systems engineering and algorithm development tasks supporting space and missile defense tracking missions * Design and implement advanced object tracking and state estimation algorithms, including track initiation, maintenance, correlation, and termination * Develop and evaluate multi-target tracking and multi-sensor fusion approaches for EO/IR, RF, or hybrid sensor architectures * Implement advanced data association techniques including JPDA (Joint Probabilistic Data Association), MHT (Multiple Hypothesis Tracking), nearest neighbor, and track-to-track fusion methods * Apply and refine data association techniques, such as: nearest neighbor and probabilistic association; Joint Probabilistic Data Association (JPDA); Multiple Hypothesis Tracking (MHT); and track-to-track fusion methods * Build physics-based models and conduct modeling and simulation including Monte Carlo analysis, recorded sensor playback, and hardware-in-the-loop testing to validate tracking performance * Conduct performance analysis, trade studies, and simulation-based assessments of tracking robustness under challenging conditions (maneuvering targets, clutter, countermeasures, degraded sensing) * Collaborate with software engineers to transition tracking algorithms from MATLAB/Python prototypes to production C/C++ code optimized for real-time operational systems * Support the systems engineering lifecycle including requirements decomposition, trade studies on tracking approaches, verification and validation planning, and design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) * Prepare technical documentation and briefings for design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and customer engagements REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS * Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance * Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, or related technical field * 5+ years of experience designing, implementing, and testing multi-target tracking algorithms for aerospace, defense, or autonomous systems * Strong theoretical and practical experience with state estimation techniques, including Kalman Filters (EKF, UKF), multi-target tracking concepts, and Interacting Multiple Model (IMM) filters * Experience developing tracking algorithms that handle track initiation, maintenance, correlation, and termination in operational systems * Proficiency in algorithm development using MATLAB and/or Python with demonstrated experience transitioning algorithms to C++ for production deployment * Experience with modeling, simulation, and testing workflows including Monte Carlo analysis, sensor data playback, or hardware-in-the-loop environments * Ability to work collaboratively with software engineers, systems engineers, and test teams to integrate tracking algorithms into operational systems PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS * Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related technical field * Experience in one or more of the following domains: missile defense or space systems; EO/IR or RF sensors; kill vehicles, interceptors, or countermeasures * Experience handling challenging tracking scenarios including track fragmentation, ghost tracks, sensor outages, and high-clutter environments * Familiarity with real-time system constraints, embedded systems, or edge compute optimization * Demonstrated experience working within the systems engineering design cycle, including requirements decomposition and traceability, algorithm design and trade studies, verification and validation (V&V;), and documentation and design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) * Experience with MBSE tools (Cameo, Rhapsody, DOORS) US Salary Range $166,000 - $220,000 USD The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Anduril's total compensation package. Additionally, Anduril offers top-tier benefits for full-time employees, including: Benefits At Anduril, we invest in our people. Our comprehensive, competitive benefits package (available at little to no cost to employees) ensures you're supported in health, recovery, and whatever comes next. For more information, Explore Our Benefits . Protecting Yourself from Recruitment Scams Anduril is committed to maintaining the integrity of our Talent acquisition process and the security of our candidates. We've observed a rise in sophisticated phishing and fraudulent schemes where individuals impersonate Anduril representatives, luring job seekers with false interviews or job offers. 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