The Role
Design, develop, test and optimize electro-optical and thermal camera systems for drones. Specify components, tune ISP/image parameters, build image quality lab, test modules, and coordinate with suppliers.
Summary Generated by Built In
We are seeking an Optical Engineer to work on the design, development and optimization of both electro-optical and thermal camera systems for our drones, with a challenging level of image quality and capture speed.
Tasks
Responsibilities
* Building the proper camera system specification for our drones and select the corresponding components (both electro-optical and thermal)
* Building an image quality lab
* Exchange with the suppliers. Test the camera modules
* Tuning the camera systems parameters (ISP parameters, histograms, etc…) to reach better image quality
Requirements
Candidate Requirements
* Educational Background: MSc in Physics, Optical Engineering, or related fields.
* At least 2 years of experience in the design, tuning, optimization and testing of optical systems
* Extensive technical know how in optics
* Experience with drone cameras is a huge plus, experience with embedded systems is a plus
* Experience with thermal imaging is a huge plus
* Experience with Python is required, C/C++ is a plus
* Excellent written and verbal communication in English
Benefits
WHY CDDS
* Direct impact on a mission‑critical technology shaping Europe’s security landscape
* Fast‑moving startup environment with high ownership
* Work with a highly technical, ambitious, and hands‑on team
* Real‑world testing, deployments, and customer demonstrations
* Attractive compensation
DETAILS
* Location: Hardbrucke (Zurich), on‑site
* Start date: ASAP
* Environment: Rapidly growing deep‑tech startup, high‑impact mission
Tasks
Responsibilities
* Building the proper camera system specification for our drones and select the corresponding components (both electro-optical and thermal)
* Building an image quality lab
* Exchange with the suppliers. Test the camera modules
* Tuning the camera systems parameters (ISP parameters, histograms, etc…) to reach better image quality
Requirements
Candidate Requirements
* Educational Background: MSc in Physics, Optical Engineering, or related fields.
* At least 2 years of experience in the design, tuning, optimization and testing of optical systems
* Extensive technical know how in optics
* Experience with drone cameras is a huge plus, experience with embedded systems is a plus
* Experience with thermal imaging is a huge plus
* Experience with Python is required, C/C++ is a plus
* Excellent written and verbal communication in English
Benefits
WHY CDDS
* Direct impact on a mission‑critical technology shaping Europe’s security landscape
* Fast‑moving startup environment with high ownership
* Work with a highly technical, ambitious, and hands‑on team
* Real‑world testing, deployments, and customer demonstrations
* Attractive compensation
DETAILS
* Location: Hardbrucke (Zurich), on‑site
* Start date: ASAP
* Environment: Rapidly growing deep‑tech startup, high‑impact mission
Skills Required
- MSc in Physics, Optical Engineering, or related field
- At least 2 years experience in design, tuning, optimization and testing of optical systems
- Extensive technical know-how in optics
- Experience with Python
- Excellent written and verbal communication in English
- Experience with drone cameras
- Experience with embedded systems
- Experience with thermal imaging
- Experience with C/C++
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The Company
What We Do
CDDS AG develops autonomous interceptor drones designed to neutralize Group 1 and Group 2 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) threats. Utilizing onboard AI and real-time decision-making, their systems detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones independently, providing scalable, AI-driven defense for critical infrastructure with minimal collateral impact.
