Staff Systems Engineer

At Hayden AI we are on a mission to harness the power of computer vision to transform the way transit systems and other government agencies address real-world challenges.

From bus lane and bus stop enforcement to transportation optimization technologies and beyond our innovative mobile perception system empowers our clients to accelerate transit enhance street safety and drive toward a sustainable future.

As the Staff Systems Engineer you will play a key technical leadership role in the design integration and deployment of complex end-to-end systems that are essential to Hayden AIs mission of shaping smarter more efficient this role you will own the architecture requirements gathering and system-level design of integrated hardware-software solutions driving projects from concept through deployment and support. You will report into the Engineering Leadership Team and work closely with hardware software operations product customer engineering and field deployment teams. Were looking for someone with a deep background in systems engineering proven project leadership experience and a collaborative solutions-driven mindset. This position is based in our SF Office and follows a hybrid schedule with at least 3 days in-office per week.

Camera Development:

• Partner with product camera design and perception team to define camera architecture

• Define specification for image sensor and lens

• Work with ISP vendors and refine camera software for ISP tuning.

Sensor Selection & Integration:

• Evaluate and select CMOS image sensors based on performance metrics such as dynamic range SNR and power consumption.

Optical Design & Selection:

• Define specifications for custom and off-the-shelf lens and assemblies

• Engage with the vendors to source the lens parts MTF testing and stray light analysis

• Match the sensor and lens for FOV optimization

• Partner with vendors to design and source protective cover glass designs

Image Characterization:

• Develop and execute rigorous testing protocols to characterize sensor performance and image quality in lab and real life use case scenarios (IQ).

• Define and execute tests in controlled lab environments to measure and analyze MTF SNR dynamic range and color accuracy.

• Lead the integration of camera systems into test vehicles. You will perform real-world data collection evaluating how vibration motion blur and varying lighting (tunnels sunset glare) affect system performance.

• Act as the Imaging Detective for customer projects. You will analyze field-returned data to identify reproduce and debug complex image quality (IQ) issues or software regressions.

Cross-Functional Calibration:

• Collaborate with software engineers to tune Auto-exposure Auto-white balance algorithms and ensure the hardware-software handshake is seamless.

• Work closely with the firmware team to validate camera drivers performance ensuring the software stack correctly interprets the hardwares output.

• Deep understanding of lens design fundamentals f-number focal length optical aberrations Hands-on experience with image sensors ISPs and Image tuning 3A algorithms

• Expert with industrial and automotive CMOS image sensors technologies and sensors vendors

• Good understanding of Sensor interfaces GMSL/MIPI/CSI

• Proficiency in C Mathlab Python Imatest or similar for data analysis and IQ evaluation.

• Ability to read schematics and use lab equipments IR meters lux meters light boxes

• Experience in automating image characterization process and ISP tuning

• MS or Phd in Science or Engineering with 8-10 years of experience in relevant space.

Required Experience:

Staff IC