1099 consultant · ~120–600 hrs per funded award · $45–$100/hr · Remote (U.S.)

Counter-UAS EO/IR Sensor Systems Engineer

Keep our counter-drone sensing work honest about what electro-optical and infrared sensors can really detect, track and identify, at range, in bad weather, against small targets.

About Precision Federal

Precision Federal is a small business building AI, data and software systems for government agencies. The company’s founder loves God, and the company is built on Christian faith: every number we publish is real, every claim we make is verifiable, and the work is done with excellence as service to God. Faith is welcome here and openly shared.

How this role works

You join the bench. You apply with your weekly hours and start time. We set your hourly rate from your résumé, and we may name you on proposals that match this role. If we don't win, you owe nothing.
A contract is awarded. The award funds the team named in the proposal. Your engagement begins at the hourly rate we agreed on.
You work remote, paid from the contract. ~120–600 hrs per funded award — and if no award ever funds, you owe nothing and lose nothing.

What you'll do

Review our counter-UAS sensing architecture and the requirements we derive for it, from detection through track and identification
Check our EO/IR performance claims (range, resolution, sensitivity, false alarm rate) against physics, optics and real field behavior
Tell us where a design breaks on real clutter, weather, birds, sun glint, or turbulence
Help us fit EO/IR into a layered sensor picture with radar, RF detection and the command and control system
Point us at the test method, model or reference data we should be using

Required qualifications

Direct experience as a systems engineer or sensor engineer on counter-UAS, air defense, ISR or comparable EO/IR programs
Working knowledge of EO/IR sensor performance: optics, focal plane arrays, MWIR and LWIR bands, NIIRS or Johnson criteria, and range performance modeling
Experience taking a sensor from requirements through integration, test or field evaluation
U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (U.S. person)
Willing to be named on a federal proposal with a one-page resume, and to sign a short letter of commitment

Preferred qualifications

Experience integrating EO/IR with radar, RF detection or effectors in a layered counter-UAS system
Gimbal, tracker or slew-to-cue integration and automatic target detection or tracking on video
NV-IPM, NVThermIP or comparable sensor performance modeling tools
Field test experience at a range or test event against small UAS targets
Active or prior security clearance

Compensation & structure

1099 consulting engagement. $45–$100 per hour; we set your rate from your résumé and experience. Hours are funded by federal contract awards — this seat is scoped at roughly 120–600 hours per funded award, fully remote. Work and pay begin only if the contract is awarded — no award, no hours, no obligation.

Join the bench — Counter-UAS EO/IR Sensor Systems Engineer

Every application is read. It takes about 5 minutes.

This is a bench, not a job offer. Work starts when we win a contract that needs you.
We may name you on proposals. If that contract is awarded, you do the role at the rate and hours we agree on.
Paid hourly as a 1099 contractor; full-time roles may be W-2. If your background fits, we will email you.

First name *

Last name *

Email *

Phone *

Work authorization *

LinkedIn or portfolio link

What state do you live in? *

Resume (PDF or Word) *

Questions

Answer from your own experience. A few sentences each is plenty; be specific and tell us what you did yourself.

Precision Federal was founded on Christian values. Our faith in God shapes how we work: many of us openly share our personal faith, share our lives together, and pray for one another. We’re building a close-knit community where we truly care about each other. Taking part is always voluntary, and people of every faith and background are welcome. As we get to know you, you’re always welcome to share your own faith with us.

1. Cover letter. In your own words, tell us about yourself: what guides you (for many of us here, that’s our faith in God), your background, and why this role interests you. *

2. Describe the counter-UAS or EO/IR sensor project most like this role: the mission, the sensors and bands involved, the requirement or performance problem you worked, a place where field reality differed from the model, your role, and the result. *

Availability

Pay for this role: $45–$100 an hour, set by your experience.

Hours per week you could give on an awarded contract (all part-time, up to 30) *

If you are named and we win, will you be able to start within a few weeks? *

May we name you on proposals for this role, and if we win, will you do the work at the rate we agree on? *

I agree to the Applicant Terms. *

Questions? careers@precisionfederal.com · See all open roles