Engineering Manager, Daylight Cameras

About the Position

Engineering Manager, Daylight Cameras

Odd Systems is a defense technology company specializing in the development and production of thermal and daylight cameras for drones and robotic systems. Founded by a group of entrepreneurs, engineers, managers, and FPV enthusiasts with previous experience in several international technology companies, including Petcube, the world leader in pet cameras and software.

Our products, the Kurbas thermal cameras and Svitlych daylight cameras, are named after prominent figures of the "Executed Renaissance" and "Sixtiers" – 20th-century Ukrainian intellectuals persecuted and destroyed by the Soviet regime. Odd Systems has offices in Ukraine, the USA, and the EU.

Mission of the Role: Build an engineering team for Daylight cameras from scratch – from the first senior engineer to the mass product. Your task is to set the processes, roadmap, and culture of the new direction, working in tandem with the technical product manager and the head of R&D.

Responsibilities

• Team Building: Forming a team from scratch – participating in hiring, onboarding, and developing the first engineers of the direction, starting with the role of Linux Kernel Engineer.
• Engineering Leadership: Coordinating the work of a multidisciplinary team (Embedded Software, ISP/Image Processing, FPGA, Optics & Mechanics, Verification & Validation, System Integration) as it forms. Making system-level technical decisions jointly with the Head of R&D.
• Planning and Delivery: Forming the technical roadmap of the Daylight camera platform. Setting technical tasks, managing priorities and risks. Ensuring the completion of development stages – from sensor selection to integration, V&V, and mass production.
• Processes and Quality: Building engineering processes and standards from scratch – Design Review, Code Review, CI/CD, automated testing. Managing technical debt and product readiness for mass production.
• Team Development: Mentoring and engineering coaching, regular feedback. Building a manageable, predictable team with a safe connection between people and the manager.
• Communication: Interaction with the technical product manager, Head of R&D, and cross-functional stakeholders (Product, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Program Management). Coordination with sensor suppliers, ISP platforms, optics, ODM/OEM partners.

Requirements

• Experience in projects creating digital cameras, computer vision systems, or other imaging devices.
• Practical experience in at least one of the following areas: Camera Systems Engineering, Embedded Linux, Embedded Software, ISP/Image Processing, FPGA, or Electronics.
• Experience in technical leadership or managing an engineering team for at least 2 years – in the position of Engineering Manager, Tech Lead, Technical Product Manager, or R&D Project Manager. The key is the ability to build a process and team from scratch, not a specific title in the past.
• Understanding of the full cycle of digital camera development: CMOS sensor selection, optical system, ISP pipeline, Embedded platform, integration, Verification & Validation, and launch into production.
• Understanding the principles of CMOS sensors, MIPI CSI-2, ISP (Auto Exposure, Auto White Balance, HDR, Noise Reduction, Color Processing), system integration, and camera calibration.
• Knowledge of Systems Engineering principles, managing technical risks, inter-team dependencies, and phase models of development (Phase-Gate, V-Model, or similar).

Nice to Have

• Experience in bringing a hardware product from concept to mass production.

We Offer

• Work that will have a real impact. We create products that directly enhance Ukraine's defense capabilities.
• Work with top engineers in the MilTech and autonomy fields.
• Official employment registration in Diya.City.
• Possibility of booking military-obligated workers according to current legislation.
• Work schedule: hybrid, remote.
• Annual paid vacation – 24 calendar days.
• Additional paid vacation for veterans – 14 calendar days.
• Voluntary health insurance after the probation period.
• Possibility of compensating training expenses according to the company's internal policies.

About the Company

Odd Systems is a defense technology company specializing in the development and production of thermal and daylight cameras for drones and robotic systems. Our mission is to create innovative products that enhance the defense capabilities of Ukraine and contribute to global security.