Senior Camera Systems Engineer (Satellite Imaging)

Location: San Francisco, CA; hybrid, with work from the San Francisco office required 3 days per week.

US base salary: $182,900–$228,600 annually for San Francisco.

Company

hirify.global designs, builds, and operates imaging satellites and delivers satellite imagery through a cloud-based platform for commercial, environmental, and humanitarian users.

What you will do

• Architect next-generation satellite camera modules and translate remote-sensing performance requirements into verifiable subsystem specifications.
• Coordinate requirements across image sensors, proximity electronics, lens and optical interfaces, thermal management, serialization, image signal processing, and spacecraft interfaces.
• Lead camera-level trade studies balancing SNR, dynamic range, MTF, radiometry, power, thermal dissipation, mass, cost, and schedule.
• Manage technical relationships with image sensor foundries and camera component vendors, including statements of work, milestones, and PDR/CDR reviews.
• Define and maintain interface control documents and own the end-to-end camera verification matrix.
• Design and oversee vacuum, thermal, vibration, electro-optical calibration, and environmental qualification activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field.
• 10+ years of engineering experience, including at least 5+ years in systems engineering or technical leadership for complex digital cameras or electro-optical imaging systems.
• Experience managing requirements traceability and flowdown across electrical, mechanical, and optical boundaries.
• Experience managing external vendors, foundries, or contract manufacturers for high-performance camera components or custom sensors.
• Deep understanding of CMOS image sensor architecture, radiometry, and camera performance budgets, including tracking noise, stray light, and MTF across the camera module.

Nice to have

• Experience developing camera hardware or imaging instruments for the LEO environment, including radiation mitigation, outgassing, and vacuum-compatible design.
• Experience applying NASA, ESA, or high-reliability commercial aerospace standards to camera qualification, environmental testing, and hardware acceptance.
• Familiarity with hardware-level image processing, high-speed serialization protocols, and ground-station image calibration.

Culture & Benefits

• People-centric culture focused on belonging, community, and team member development.
• Medical, dental, and vision plans, plus an HSA with company contribution.
• Paid time off, holidays, company-wide days off, and 16 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Wellness and employee assistance programs, home office reimbursement, and phone and internet reimbursement.
• Tuition reimbursement, LinkedIn Learning access, equity, commuter benefits for office-based employees, and paid volunteer time off.

Hiring process

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and the posting may close before the projected deadline.
• Select interviews may be recorded and transcribed with candidate consent; candidates may opt out.
• Use of AI tools during live interviews or active assessments is prohibited unless explicitly permitted.