Technical lead for customer-facing lidar programs: define and validate system requirements and KPIs, analyze point cloud and raw sensor data, design and test algorithms, lead deployments and demonstrations, troubleshoot hardware-to-software issues, and feed customer insights into product roadmaps. Responsible for data collection, sensor performance evaluation, and production integration.
Senior Systems Engineer, Customer Programs
We are looking for a Senior Systems Engineer to serve as the technical lead and primary point of contact for our customers. In this role you will define, evaluate, and optimize lidar system performance across algorithm design and production readiness, while leading customer engagements, deployments, and product demonstrations. You will work as the internal bridge between Business Development, Product Management, and Engineering, translating real-world customer requirements into measurable system objectives and carrying customer feedback back into the engineering roadmap. The role suits an engineer who is equally comfortable in point cloud data and in front of a customer.
Key Responsibilities- Customer technical lead: serve as the technical lead and main point of contact for automotive and industrial customers across pre-sales and post-sales, leading deployments and proof-of-concept projects.
- Demonstrations and presentations: execute product demonstrations and deliver technical presentations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Field troubleshooting and issue resolution: perform hands-on troubleshooting end to end, from hardware signals through software output, triage and resolve field issues including returns and failure investigation, and report defects with clear, actionable problem statements.
- Requirement definition and evaluation: gather requirements directly from customers and translate system-level objectives into measurable requirements, ensuring compliance across development phases.
- Point cloud and raw data analysis: perform in-depth analysis of lidar point cloud and raw sensor data to evaluate system capabilities and limitations.
- Sensor performance evaluation: characterize system behavior under diverse operating conditions, including weather, optical disturbances, and production variability, both in the lab and at customer sites.
- Data collection and analysis: design and execute data collection campaigns, and analyze large sensor datasets to extract insights that guide system improvements.
- Voice of the customer: carry field feedback and performance gaps back into the engineering roadmap.
- Feature and algorithm design: develop, test, and implement algorithms for point cloud processing, calibration, and system performance monitoring.
- KPI definition and testing: establish key performance indicators (for example range accuracy, false alarm rate, separability) and design validation methods.
Required
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in software, algorithms, and system performance engineering, preferably in lidar or related sensor technologies.
- Strong background in signal and image processing, embedded systems, and simulation environments.
- Proficiency in C++ and Python for algorithm development, performance testing, data analysis, and the ability to read, debug, and modify production code.
- Hands-on experience with lidar raw data and point cloud analysis, including inspection, validation, and common failure modes.
- Proven experience with sensor calibration, production integration, and automation tools.
- Demonstrated ability to define and evaluate system requirements, KPIs, and validation methods.
- Experience troubleshooting sensor systems end to end, from hardware signals through software output, including field deployment and debugging.
- Customer-facing experience: leading engagements with external partners and customers, and presenting to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Structured problem solving, including root cause investigation and identification of system-level performance gaps, with clear technical documentation and reports.
- Comfortable working in Linux environments, including shell, networking basics, and log analysis.
Preferred
- Familiarity with automotive industry standards (for example ASPICE, MISRA, AUTOSAR, V-Model, SAFe).
- Experience with sensor fusion, time synchronization, and perception applications.
- Experience in automotive or industrial markets.
- Familiarity with ROS or ROS2.
- Experience with automated test scripts and CI pipelines.
- Experience with IT, networks, and embedded platforms.
Additional Requirements
- Global travel as required, in the range of 20 to 30 percent.
- Valid California driver's license to operate company vehicles.
- Ability to lift or carry items up to 50 lbs.
Position is onsite a minimum of 3 days at our Pleasanton, CA Office
Base Annual Salary Range: $140K-170K
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