Camera Engineer

Helsing builds AI that works in the field, under real conditions, against real constraints. The Camera Engineer owns the imaging stack that makes that possible. From photon to bit, you define the hardware architecture that feeds our AI with the highest-quality, precisely timed sensor data.

What you'll do

• Define imaging architecture. Select lens and sensor combinations, align specifications with the AI team, and own the technical trade-offs between optical performance and algorithm requirements.
• Implement low-level logic. Write FPGA firmware to handle high-speed sensor interfaces and hardware-based synchronisation.
• Drive the manufacturing lifecycle. Work directly with external partners to take designs from prototype to production. Define validation tests and resolve integration challenges across complex opto-electronic assemblies.
• Lead hardware bring-up and debug. Spend hands-on time in the lab, test performance under varying conditions, and support integration into the software stack.
• Tune image quality. Analyse camera performance against application requirements and optimise designs and low-level algorithms to maximise sensor value for AI downstream.

What you'll need

• A Ph.D. or M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Applied Physics, Optical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A track record of taking complex opto-electronic systems from prototype to production.
• Practical knowledge of opto-mechanical design challenges, including thermal management for high-power sensors and mechanical mounting for optical alignment.
• A strong understanding of imaging physics: lens selection, MTF characteristics, CMOS sensor architecture, quantum efficiency, and noise sources.
• System-level synchronisation experience, including PTP, PPS, and hardware triggers such as Hsync and Vsync, to align image capture with other sensors and compute modules.
• Proficiency in C/C++ or Rust for low-level firmware development or hardware-software interface debugging.

Nice to have

• FPGA development experience using Verilog, SystemVerilog, VHDL or equivalent, including high-bandwidth data streams, video processing pipelines, and sensor interfaces.
• Hands-on PCB design and debug experience for high-bandwidth image sensors, with knowledge of signal integrity for MIPI CSI-2, LVDS, SLVS-EC, or similar.
• Familiarity with optical design software such as Zemax or Code V, including ray tracing, lens curvature, or custom glass specification.
• Experience writing Linux kernel drivers or working with V4L2 or similar frameworks to interface with sensors.

What they offer

• Competitive salary and VSOP options
• Relocation support: up to €2,500 and 4 weeks temporary accommodation
• Learning: €500/£450 yearly allowance
• Health & wellness: gym membership and mental health support (Nilo.health)
• Enhanced parental leave: 22 weeks fully paid for primary caregivers and 6 weeks for secondary caregivers
• Family support: 5 days of paid family emergency leave, 100% remote work option during pregnancy and phased return to work