Senior Imaging Systems Engineer

About SimpliSafe

We're a high-tech home security company that's passionate about protecting the life you've built and our mission of keeping Every Home Secure. And we've created a culture here that cares just as deeply about the career you're building. Ours is a no ego culture of collaboration and innovation where those seeking their next challenge can find big opportunities and make a huge impact on the lives of all those who we protect. We don't just want you to work here. We want you to grow and thrive here.

We're embracing a hybrid work model that enables our teams to split their time between office and home. Hybrid for us means we expect our teams to come together in our state-of-the-art office on two core days, typically Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday – working together in person and choosing where they work for the remainder of the week. We all benefit from flexibility and get to use the best of both worlds to get our work done.

Why are we hiring?

Well, we're growing and thriving. So, we need smart, talented, and humble people who share our values to join us as we disrupt the home security space and relentlessly pursue our mission of keeping Every Home Secure. 

What You'll Do

As a Senior Imaging Systems Engineer, you will be a key technical leader responsible for the end-to-end design, development, and validation of our security camera and lighting systems. Your expertise will be crucial in defining specifications, meticulously evaluating imager and lens performance, and ensuring our final products deliver unparalleled image quality. You'll drive innovation, troubleshoot complex challenges, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in imaging.

Key Responsibilities

• System Architecture & Design Leadership: Lead the architectural definition and design of complex camera modules and imaging systems, balancing optical, electrical, mechanical, lighting, and software considerations. Drive critical design decisions and contribute to the product roadmap.
• Advanced Imager & Lens Expertise: 
  • Spearhead the research, evaluation, and selection of cutting-edge image sensors based on rigorous performance criteria, including high dynamic range, low-light sensitivity, noise performance, and power efficiency.
  • Define and critically evaluate optical lens systems for optimal performance, ensuring excellence in MTF, distortion, chromatic aberration, and stray light control.
  • Design lighting to optimize image quality and power.
  • Act as a primary technical liaison with imager, DSP, camera lens and optical component vendors, influencing future development.
• Rigorous Prototyping & Characterization: Develop and execute advanced test plans for camera prototypes, performing deep-dive characterization of imager and lens performance. Utilize and develop measurement techniques for noise analysis, linearity, spectral response, and other key parameters.
• Image Quality Mastery & Tuning: 
  • Design, implement, and lead comprehensive objective and subjective image quality (IQ) testing, covering parameters like color accuracy, white balance, exposure, sharpness, and noise.
  • Employ and potentially develop advanced image quality analysis tools (e.g., Imatest).
  • Work with ODM, Image and ISP SoC vendors to expertly calibrate and fine-tune Image Signal Processor (ISP) parameters to achieve industry-leading image quality across diverse challenging environments and use cases.
  • Proactively identify, diagnose, and resolve complex image quality artifacts and propose innovative solutions.
• Validation & Production Readiness: Own the development and execution of robust validation plans for production-ready camera systems, ensuring compliance with all functional, performance, reliability, and regulatory requirements.
• Travel: Willing to travel to Asian manufacturing partners 1-3 times per year

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Physics, Imaging Science, Computer Science or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in camera system design, development, and validation, with a proven track record of bringing imaging products to market.
• Deep expertise in: 
  • CMOS Image sensor technologies and their low-level characteristics.
  • Optical system design, analysis, and characterization (e.g., MTF, distortion, CA, stray light, lens manufacturing processes).
  • Advanced Image Quality (IQ) metrics, testing methodologies, and industry-standard tools like IMATEST
  • Leading Image Signal Processor (ISP) tuning and optimization across various platforms.
  • Camera module integration, calibration, and complex debugging.
  • Low power, always on, imaging
• Proficiency in scientific programming languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for data analysis, automation, and image processing.
• Familiarity with optical design software (e.g., Zemax, Code V, TracePro).
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, with an ability to tackle complex, ambiguous problems.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

• Familiarity with neural networks in imaging pipeline (AI ISP)
• Freeform and Fresnel lens design and analysis
• Ultra-low power, always on, motion and object detection.
• H.264/HEVC/AV1 Video compression technology, and analysis using tools like Elecard.

What Values You'll Share

• Customer Obsessed - Building deep empathy for our customers, putting them at the core of our work, and developing strong, long-term relationships with them.
• Aim High - Always challenging ourselves and others to raise the bar.
• No Ego - Maintaining a "no job too small" attitude, and an open, inclusive and humble style.
• One Team - Taking a highly collaborative approach to achieving success.
• Lift As We Climb - Investing in developing others and helping others around us succeed.
• Lean & Nimble - Working with agility and efficiency to experiment in an often ambiguous environment.

What We Offer

• A mission- and values-driven culture and a safe, inclusive environment where you can build, grow and thrive  
• A comprehensive total rewards package that supports your wellness and provides security for SimpliSafers and their families (For more information on our total rewards please click here)
• Free SimpliSafe system and professional monitoring for your home. 
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that bring people together, give opportunities to network, mentor and develop, and advocate for change.

The target annual base pay range for this role is  $105,600 to $154,900.

This target annual base pay range represents our good-faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this role. We use a market-based compensation approach to set our target annual base pay ranges and make adjustments annually. We carefully tailor individual compensation packages, including base pay, taking into consideration employees' job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and other relevant business factors. 

Beyond base pay, we offer a Total Rewards package that may include participation in our annual bonus program, equity, and other forms of compensation, in addition to a full range of medical, retirement, and lifestyle benefits. More details can be found here.

We're committed to fair and equitable pay practices, as well as pay transparency. We regularly review our programs to ensure they remain competitive and aligned with our values.

We wholeheartedly embrace and actively seek applications from all individuals, no matter how they identify. We are committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we believe our work is enriched when we incorporate a multitude of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. We want everyone who works here to thrive and contribute to not only our mission of keeping every home secure, but also to making our workplace safe and supportive for others. If a reasonable accommodation may be needed to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of a position, or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact