AI/ML Engineer (UAV Perception)
Position: AI/ML Engineer (3–4 roles)
Location: Aluva / Kochi, India (with field testing at UAV ranges)
Department: UAV AI Division, Canary Digital.ai
Role Overview
As an AI/ML Engineer (UAV Perception), you will design, train, and deploy computer vision and sensor fusion models for Canary Digital's UAV platforms. Your work will focus on object detection, anomaly detection, EO/IR fusion, and real-time inference on Jetson-class edge devices, enabling UAVs to autonomously detect threats, intrusions, and unusual occurrences. You will collaborate with UAV Systems Engineers and RF/Comms specialists to deliver an end-to-end AI-powered UAV solution for defense and security.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and deploy real-time computer vision models (object/person/vehicle detection, tracking, re-ID) on Jetson devices.
- Build change detection and anomaly detection pipelines for perimeter security and patrol missions.
- Integrate EO (RGB) + IR (thermal) sensor fusion models for day/night operations.
- Optimize models for low-latency inference using TensorRT, DeepStream, CUDA.
- Create synthetic datasets for rare threat scenarios (weapons, intrusions, tampering).
- Collect, annotate, and retrain models from field UAV test data.
- Collaborate with RF engineers for friend/foe beacon + CV hybrid detection.
- Implement MLOps workflows: versioned datasets, model deployment pipelines, performance monitoring.
- Support Weather Guard AI integration for weather-aware perception tuning.
Required Skills & Experience
- 2–6 years of experience in AI/ML or Computer Vision engineering.
- Strong background in Deep Learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow).
- Proficiency in object detection/tracking architectures (YOLOv8, Detectron2, EfficientDet, SORT/DeepSORT).
- Familiarity with anomaly detection methods (autoencoders, clustering, unsupervised ML).
- Hands-on with NVIDIA Jetson platform (TensorRT, DeepStream, CUDA).
- Strong Python/C++ coding skills.
- Experience with dataset annotation, augmentation, and synthetic data generation.
Preferred Background
- Prior projects in autonomous systems, robotics, or defense AI.
- Experience with AirSim/Gazebo simulation data pipelines.
- Knowledge of multi-sensor fusion (EO/IR, lidar, radar).
- Familiarity with real-time constraints in embedded AI systems.
What We Offer
- Work on mission-critical UAV AI perception systems with national impact.
- Collaborate with UAV engineers, RF specialists, and defense partners.
- Access to Jetson dev kits, EO/IR sensors, UAV test flights.
- Competitive salary + performance-based incentives