Full-Time

Robotics Perception Engineer 1/2

Perception Systems & Integration

Updated on 5/11/2026

Zone 5 Technologies

Zone 5 Technologies

201-500 employees

End-to-end UAS development for DoD

Compensation Overview

$110k - $145k/yr

San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

In Person

Category
Mechanical Engineering (2)
,
Required Skills
C/C++
DevOps
Linux/Unix
Requirements
  • 2-4+ years of experience in robotics perception, computer vision, or sensor integration
  • Bachelor's in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related field – equivalent industry experience also welcome
  • Proficient in C++14/17 with understanding of modern software development practices
  • Strong hands-on experience with ROS2 architecture, packages, and development workflows
  • Solid understanding of camera systems, image sensors, and computer vision fundamentals
  • Experience with sensor calibration procedures and multi-sensor time synchronization
  • Familiarity with Linux development environments and embedded systems
  • Strong debugging skills and experience with system-level integration
Responsibilities
  • Vision System Integration
  • Develop and maintain camera drivers and sensor interfaces for multi-camera systems on embedded platforms
  • Integrate off-the-shelf and custom perception algorithms into production autonomy stacks
  • Build efficient image processing pipelines using GStreamer, V4L2, and Jetson multimedia APIs
  • Implement camera calibration workflows including intrinsic, extrinsic, and temporal synchronization
  • Design data logging and telemetry systems for perception subsystem monitoring and debugging
  • Perception Infrastructure & ROS2 Development
  • Build ROS2 nodes for camera capture, sensor fusion, and perception output distribution
  • Develop standardized message interfaces and APIs between perception, planning, and control systems
  • Create visualization and diagnostic tools for real-time perception system health monitoring
  • Implement efficient data serialization and transport for high-bandwidth sensor streams
  • Maintain perception software repositories with proper documentation and version control
  • Algorithm Implementation & Tuning
  • Integrate visual-inertial odometry (VIO) and SLAM libraries for state estimation
  • Tune EKF/UKF filters for multi-sensor fusion from IMU, cameras, barometers, and rangefinders
  • Implement outlier rejection and sensor health monitoring for robust operation
  • Optimize algorithm parameters based on flight test data and performance metrics
  • Testing & Validation
  • Design comprehensive test scenarios in simulation environments
  • Develop automated regression test suites for continuous integration of perception updates
  • Analyze flight logs and sensor data to identify failure modes and performance degradation
  • Create hardware-in-the-loop test setups for pre-flight validation
  • Support flight test operations and conduct post-flight performance analysis
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with camera drivers, GStreamer, V4L2, or similar multimedia frameworks
  • Hands-on experience with NVIDIA Jetson platforms (Orin, Xavier, AGX)
  • Prior work with small UAVs, drones, or mobile robotics platforms
  • Familiarity with PX4 or ArduPilot autopilot systems and MAVLink protocol
  • Experience with state estimation techniques (EKF, UKF, particle filters)
  • Knowledge of VIO/SLAM frameworks (OpenVINS, VINS-Fusion, ORB-SLAM)
  • Python skills for data analysis, visualization, and tooling development
  • Understanding of real-time systems and computational performance optimization
  • Experience with CI/CD pipelines for robotics software
  • Background in sensor fusion, optical flow, or feature-based tracking

Zone 5 Technologies designs and builds unmanned aircraft systems for the U.S. Department of Defense as a prime contractor. Its products include air-launched effects, counter-UAS interceptors, next-generation munitions, and low-cost cruise missiles. The PALADIN multi-mission UAS can autonomously intercept drones and deploy munitions, while the Open Weapon Platform provides a modular system to rapidly add new capabilities. The company focuses on vertically integrated development from concept to production and aims for digitally engineered, attritable, affordable aircraft that can scale through a DoD-approved deployment path via the DIU Blue UAS program.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

San Luis Obispo, California

Founded

2011

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Kongsberg 90% acquisition in December 2025 expands into NATO markets.
  • DIU Blue UAS certification accelerates PALADIN adoption across DoD branches.
  • $100M+ profitable revenue in 2025 supports scalable high-volume manufacturing.

What critics are saying

  • Kongsberg redirects PALADIN and OWP to Norwegian Rusty Dagger in 3-6 months.
  • CFIUS rejects acquisition in 6-12 months, collapsing deal and blacklisting contracts.
  • Anduril's Lattice UAS captures DIU slots, eroding counter-UAS revenue in 12-18 months.

What makes Zone 5 Technologies unique

  • PALADIN UAS enables autonomous drone interception and munitions deployment.
  • Open Weapon Platform integrates third-party capabilities rapidly into weapon systems.
  • Vertically integrated from design to high-rate production of attritable aircraft.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

401(k) Company Match

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Company News

KONGSBERG
Dec 18th, 2025
KONGSBERG acquires Zone 5 and enters development and high-volume production of affordable missiles - Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (‘KONGSBERG’) has signed an agreement to acquire the California-based missile company Zone 5 Technologies LLC, which designs and produces affordable, mass producible long-range strike and anti-drone missiles. The value of the transaction is undisclosed.

Surperformance
Dec 17th, 2025
Kongsberg acquires 90% of US missile maker Zone 5 for undisclosed sum

Norwegian defence company Kongsberg Gruppen has agreed to acquire 90 percent of US-based Zone 5 Technologies, which develops and produces low-cost missiles in large volumes. The purchase price was not disclosed, and the deal requires regulatory approval. Zone 5's management will retain the remaining shares. The company generated over $100 million in sales in 2025 and is profitable. It will operate as an independent subsidiary under Kongsberg. "The acquisition of Zone 5 is an important strategic step for Kongsberg. Zone 5 is at the forefront of developing affordable missiles that can be produced in large volumes," said Geir Håøy, CEO of Kongsberg Gruppen.