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Perception Algorithm Engineer Jobs in Los Angeles, CA

Lead GNC and Perception Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$104K - $137K/yr

Manage and mentor a team of GNC and perception engineers * Work with avionics responsible engineers ... Work closely with the simulation and software teams to prototype and analyze GNC algorithms in the ...

Lead GNC and Perception Engineer Department: Software Engineering Employment Type: Full Time ... Work closely with the simulation and software teams to prototype and analyze GNC algorithms in the ...

Manage and mentor a team of GNC and perception engineers * Work with avionics responsible engineers ... Work closely with the simulation and software teams to prototype and analyze GNC algorithms in the ...

Perception Engineer

Huntington Beach, CA · On-site

$125K - $220K/yr

As a Perception Engineer, you will design, train, and deploy state-of-the-art vision and multi ... Perform simulation-based testing with high-fidelity sensor models and validate algorithms using ...

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Perception Algorithm Engineer information

See Los Angeles, CA salary details

$64.1K

$120.3K

$218.7K

How much do perception algorithm engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for perception algorithm engineer in Los Angeles, CA is $120,284.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,700.00 and $142,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Perception Algorithm Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Perception Algorithm Engineer, you need a strong background in computer vision, machine learning, and programming (typically C++ or Python), often supported by a degree in computer science, robotics, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like TensorFlow, PyTorch, OpenCV, and ROS, as well as experience with sensor data (e.g., LiDAR, cameras), is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills for this role. These skills are vital to develop robust perception systems that enable autonomous vehicles and robots to interpret and interact safely with complex real-world environments.

What is a Perception Algorithm Engineer?

A Perception Algorithm Engineer is a professional who develops algorithms that enable machines—such as autonomous vehicles or robots—to interpret and understand sensory data from their environment. This typically involves processing data from cameras, lidar, radar, and other sensors to identify objects, track movement, and understand surroundings. Perception Algorithm Engineers work with computer vision, sensor fusion, and machine learning techniques to create reliable and efficient perception systems. Their work is crucial in making machines aware of their surroundings and enabling them to respond appropriately. They often collaborate with hardware, software, and robotics teams to integrate their algorithms into real-world applications.

What are some common challenges faced by Perception Algorithm Engineers when integrating their solutions into autonomous systems?

Perception Algorithm Engineers often encounter challenges when ensuring their algorithms perform reliably in diverse real-world environments, such as varying lighting, weather conditions, and sensor noise. Integrating algorithms with hardware requires close collaboration with robotics and systems engineering teams to optimize performance and latency. Additionally, balancing accuracy with computational efficiency is crucial, as perception modules must run in real time on embedded systems. Addressing these challenges involves rigorous testing, continuous model improvement, and effective cross-functional communication.
What are popular job titles related to Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs in Los Angeles, CA? For Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs in Los Angeles, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs in Los Angeles, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs in Los Angeles, CA are:
What cities near Los Angeles, CA are hiring for Perception Algorithm Engineer jobs? Cities near Los Angeles, CA with the most Perception Algorithm Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Perception Algorithm Engineer job openings in Los Angeles, CA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Locum Tenens, 74% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $120,284 per year, or $57.8 per hour.

Embedded Software Engineer (Image Processing Algorithms)

Impulse Space

Redondo Beach, CA • On-site

$120K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Embedded Software Engineer (Image Processing Algorithms)
Department: Software
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Redondo Beach
Compensation: $120,000 - $155,000 / year
Description
As an Embedded Software Engineer for Image Processing Algorithms at Impulse, your primary responsibility will be to design, implement, validate, and maintain onboard image processing software for spacecraft systems. You will work at the intersection of embedded software, imaging sensors, numerical algorithms, estimation, and guidance, navigation, and control systems. You will collaborate closely with avionics, flight software, GNC, test, and mission operations teams to deliver reliable image processing software capable of operating on microcontroller-class hardware in demanding space environments.
Responsibilities
  • Develop onboard computer vision algorithms for image preprocessing, thresholding, filtering, centroiding, feature extraction, target detection, target tracking, optical navigation, star detection, and attitude or pose estimation support.
  • Support image conditioning techniques such as calibration, distortion correction, dark-frame correction, thresholding, exposure control, filtering, and image normalization.
  • Work with GNC, flight software, and mission teams to define algorithm performance requirements, including accuracy, latency, update rate, robustness, fault tolerance, and compute/resource constraints.
  • Develop test tools, simulation environments, and analysis scripts to evaluate algorithm performance using synthetic imagery, lab imagery, ground test data, and flight-like datasets.
  • Debug and tune vision software during sensor bring-up, ground testing, environmental testing, and in-flight operations.
  • Contribute to fault detection, robustness, and recovery logic for cases such as poor lighting, stray light, saturation, blur, dropped frames, hot pixels, occlusions, image noise, and unexpected scene content.
  • Design algorithms and data pipelines that operate within constrained CPU, memory, storage, bandwidth, timing, and power budgets.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
  • 2+ years of experience writing C++ code for embedded systems, preferably in imaging or robotic applications.
  • Experience implementing image processing, estimation, numerical, or signal processing algorithms.
  • Experience with bare-metal or RTOS-based software development.

Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Ability to work closely with hardware, flight software, GNC, and test teams to diagnose issues across software, sensors, timing, image quality, and system interfaces.
  • Experience optimizing software for runtime, memory usage, deterministic execution, and numerical stability.
  • Familiarity with low-level hardware interfaces such as SPI, I2C, UART, GPIO, timers, ADCs, DMA, and camera or image sensor interfaces.
  • Strong understanding of linear algebra, coordinate frames, rotations, quaternions, camera models, or geometric vision concepts.
  • Experience debugging embedded systems using oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, hardware debuggers, source-level debuggers, logs, and telemetry.
  • Hands-on experience developing or testing computer vision, optical navigation, star tracker, pose estimation, target tracking, inspection, or perception algorithms on microcontroller-class hardware.

Additional Information:
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
Impulse Space's spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.