C++ Software Engineer – Electro-Optical (Radar Core Processing)

Location: Hengelo, Netherlands

C++ Software Engineer – Electro-Optical (Radar Core Processing)

About Us

Thales Nederland is a top provider of high-tech jobs, active in the Aerospace, Defense, and Security sectors. We design extremely modern radar systems and optical sensors that form part of complete, integrated defense systems. Within the Engineering cluster, our software engineering department is responsible for the software that makes these radar systems tick. These complex systems are used worldwide to protect lives in critical situations.

The Team: Electro-Optical (RCP)

The Electro-Optical team sits within the Radar Core Processing (RCP) department. While traditional radar relies on radio waves for long-range detection, our team focuses on the integration and processing of optical cameras to provide critical short-range surveillance and highly accurate tracking capabilities. We build the software powering a diverse range of cutting-edge defense systems, distinguishing between dedicated electro-optical surveillance products (like Gatekeeper) and precision tracking systems (like MiRADOR). Furthermore, we develop solutions that fuse these domains, seamlessly combining optical sensor data with traditional radar technology (such as in our STIR systems) to deliver comprehensive, multi-domain situational awareness. We are a specialized team that bridges the gap between complex software algorithms and physical hardware, ensuring optical data is flawlessly integrated into the wider defense ecosystem.

The Role

We are looking for a C++ developer who thrives at the intersection of software engineering, complex mathematics, and hardware integration.

In this role, you will focus heavily on image and video processing, writing the C++ code that interprets what our optical sensors see. Because this involves transforming high volumes of raw visual data in real-time, you will frequently work with heavy mathematical computations, particularly matrix operations. While this is primarily a software development position, it is highly hands-on; you will regularly step away from your desk to test, verify, and fine-tune your code directly on the actual physical hardware and camera systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain high-performance C++ software tailored for real-time image and video processing.
• Translate complex mathematical models into efficient, production-ready code.
• Integrate software algorithms with physical optical camera hardware, conducting hands-on testing and verification to ensure real-world accuracy and reliability.
• Optimize video processing pipelines and data flows, utilizing the Gstreamer library.
• Leverage GPU acceleration (CUDA) to maximize the speed and efficiency of our electro-optical processing capabilities.
• Collaborate with broader RCP teams to ensure optical data seamlessly integrates with tracking, extraction, and fire control systems.

About You

We are looking for a strong C++ developer who has a deep interest in making sense of visual data. You should have:

• Solid, proven experience in modern C++ software engineering.
• A strong affinity for and background in image and/or video processing.
• Solid mathematical capabilities, with specific comfort and experience implementing matrix operations in code.
• A hands-on engineering mindset; you enjoy seeing your software run on actual physical hardware rather than just in a simulation.
• Experience with GPU programming, specifically CUDA.
• Preferred but not strictly required: Familiarity with building and managing media pipelines using the Gstreamer library.

What We Offer

• An interesting job in a high-tech environment at our Hengelo campus.
• An open and flexible working environment where work-life balance is considered very important.
• 40 leave days per year.
• Travel expenses and a flexible benefits à la carte package.
• Options to personalize your benefits, including the purchase/sale of leave hours, internet costs, a bicycle plan, company fitness, trade union contributions, or relocation costs.
• Dedicated opportunities for continuous skill development, including active participation in our internal monthly "Learning Moments" professional development initiatives.
• A lot of room for your personal development and own initiatives.

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