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.
About the RoleAs 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 AI’s mission of shaping smarter, more efficient cities. In 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. We’re 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.
Key ResponsibilitiesCamera 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 hardware's 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.
Skills Required
- 8+ years of systems engineering experience designing and deploying complex, integrated systems
- Proven success leading technical projects from requirements and design through implementation and deployment
- Strong understanding of hardware: sensors, networking, embedded or edge devices
- Strong understanding of software: systems integration, APIs, cloud services
- Excellent problem-solving, troubleshooting, and cross-functional communication skills
- Ability to write clear technical documentation and requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field
- Experience in urban mobility, transportation, or fleet technology environments
- Exposure to IoT, computer vision, or large-scale sensor/data platforms
- Experience interacting directly with customers or field deployment teams
- Familiarity with cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, or similar)
Hayden AI Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Hayden AI and has not been reviewed or approved by Hayden AI.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is described as competitive for senior technical roles, with multiple posted ranges and wage baselines converging around high six figures. Equity and a company-wide bonus plan are also referenced as parts of the overall package.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents is consistently listed, alongside FSA/DCFSA options. Some listings indicate very high employer premium coverage depending on role and location.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) plan with an employer match is repeatedly cited as a standard component of the package. The presence of a stated match suggests a more structured retirement benefit than many early-stage startups.
Hayden AI Insights
What We Do
Artificial intelligence is already impacting almost every aspect of our lives. But cities still rely on outdated technologies that are too expensive to scale and unable to deliver on their promise. As a result, streets are becoming unsafe, and cities are becoming unmanageable. Hayden AI was founded on the belief that by combining mobile sensors with artificial intelligence, we can help governments bridge the innovation gap while making traffic flow less dangerous and more efficient. Led by a team of experts in machine learning, data science, transportation, and government technology, we’ve developed the world’s first autonomous traffic management platform — simultaneously serving citizens and multi-agency missions to help cities become safer and more sustainable.
