---
title: 'Senior Staff Engineer: 3D Reconstruction at Aechelon Technology'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-staff-engineer-3d-reconstruction-aechelon-technology-south-san-francisco-ktt0ae0wsj5t'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-14'
---

# Senior Staff Engineer: 3D Reconstruction at Aechelon Technology

- **Company:** Aechelon Technology
- **Location:** South San Francisco, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-07-01
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-14
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/aechelontechnology/jobs/5289446008

## Job description

Aechelon Technology, Inc. is a leading producer of 3D simulator content, including Geospecific visual/sensor databases and realistic 3D models. We seek people who share our passion for real-time computer graphics and commitment to our mission of helping make our Nation’s pilots safer. We will give you a chance to work with some of the most talented people in the graphics industry.

The Senior Staff Engineer: 3D Reconstruction will lead Aechelon’s engineering efforts at reconstructing 3D models from photographic and video sources, including extracting point clouds, Gaussian splats, and polygonal meshes, for both content production and realtime imagery exploitation.

## ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Design and develop tools for automated creation of 3D models from photogrammetric sources such as satellite imagery and aerial photography
- Design and develop software for registering imagery and videos to align with Aechelon’s 3D global terrain
- Design and develop tools for automated creation of 3D models from video sources
- Develop tools for modeling and exploitation of Gaussian splats, including relighting.
- Design and develop processes and tools for validating reconstructed data for use in specific digital twin and/or AI training applications.

## EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION:

- Passion for real time computer graphics and solid software engineering principles
- 7+ years of experience in design and architecture of software for 3D reconstruction from 2D image sources.
- Experience leading a team of peers in shipping exceptional products within the constraints of a delivery deadline
- In-depth knowledge of and experience programming in C and C++ languages
- Experience developing OpenGL, Vulkan or Direct3D applications, including both real time engines, graphics tools for the content creation pipeline and programmable shading
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work with export-controlled technology

## DESIRED COMPENTENCIES:

- Experience with rendering engines and scene graphs such as Intrinsic Alchemy, OpenSceneGraph, Unreal, Unity, or Source
- Experience with GPU computing platforms such as OpenCL, CUDA, or DirectCompute
- Experience with multi-processing real time systems
- Experience developing image processing software
- Experience with defect tracking systems such as Bugzilla or Jira
- Experience with Configuration Management (CM) systems such as Perforce or Git
- Experience developing tools to work with geographic data such as KML, vector files, digital elevation and satellite imagery
- Experience scripting in Python.

## REQUIRED EDUCATION, ELIGIBILITY AND EXPERIENCE:

- BS in Engineering, Computer Science or similar technical field

Salary Range: $280,000 - $310,000 USD per year

The above range is specific to CALIFORNIA and may not be applicable to other locations. The pay scale for this role is between $280,000 - $310,000. Final compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience.

We offer a very attractive compensation package including competitive base salary, company performance-based profit sharing, 401k, 100% employer paid health benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, std,  ltd, and life insurance plans).

No relocation reimbursement provided.

This position description is not intended to be a complete listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee holding this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may be changed or others may be assigned at any time by the Company with notice to the employee.

Aechelon Technology is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing access and opportunities to individuals with disabilities. If you are an applicant who is unable to fully utilize/access our application process because of a disability, Aechelon Technology will provide a reasonable accommodation. Please send an email to hr_team@aechelon.com to request that accommodation, and please be sure to include a detailed description of your requested accommodation, your name and preferred method of contact.

## About Aechelon Technology

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Aechelon Technology provides mission-grade synthetic reality visualization and simulation solutions for defense, national security, and emergency response customers.
- **Entity Type**: Private (acquired by Shield AI, Inc. in November 2024)
- **Headquarters**: South San Francisco, California, United States
- **Founded**: 1998
- **Founders**: Nacho Sanz-Pastor (Co-Founder & CEO), Javier Castellar (Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer)

## Core Business
- Primary industry/industries: Defense Technology, Simulation & Training, Synthetic Reality, AI/ML Data Generation
- Target customers: U.S. Department of Defense (all branches), U.S. Allies, Government Prime Contractors, national security and emergency response organizations
- Mission statement: "Ensure the safety, mission readiness and tactical superiority of national security and emergency response customers with immersive, high-fidelity and geo-specific representations of the real world."

## Products & Services
- **Nucleus**: Real-time image generator with 8K imagery at 240Hz, multi-GPU single chassis design, incorporating AI/ML-driven databases.
- **Nexus**: Secure shared storage solution for geospatial and sensor databases.
- **SkyBeam™**: Rapid database updates and full motion video (FMV) generation.
- **RTK (Radar Toolkit)**: Software toolkit for radar simulation and sensor modeling.
- **Geo-Specific Databases**: High-fidelity, multi-spectral digital twin of Earth for training, testing, and mission rehearsal.
- **Mixed Reality (MR) Trainers**: Head-mounted display solutions for immersive training, including eye-limiting multi-sensor MR systems.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (private company, acquired by Shield AI)
- **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue of ~$23.6 million (LinkedIn estimate)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Shield AI (parent company since November 2024), Sagewind Capital (prior investment)
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount of 174 employees (+17.8% YoY, +34 people); LinkedIn followers grew 73.1% year-over-year; over 1,000 DoD operational flight training systems supported across U.S. and Allies; active on major defense programs including F-35, P-8 Poseidon, CH-47F, MH-60R/S, and F-16.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Unmatched Fidelity**: Real-time 8K imagery at 240Hz with real-world physics, precise terrain, weather, and light reflection.
- **Multi-Domain Expertise**: Decades of experience (since 1998) in visual simulation for air, ground, and maritime platforms across all U.S. military branches.
- **AI/ML Integration**: Ability to generate synthetic training data and virtual sensor feeds to validate autonomous systems and AI/ML models at scale.
- **Proven Track Record**: Excellent past performance evaluations on numerous high-profile defense programs with zero delivery failures noted.
- **Patented Technology**: Holds 8+ patents in image generation and display systems, with 11 patents attributed to key engineer David Morgan.

## Strategic Focus
- **Autonomous Systems & AI**: Scaling synthetic data generation for AI/ML training of autonomous navigation and ISR systems.
- **Digital Twin Expansion**: Developing global commercial databases for multi-domain operations.
- **Multi-Spectral Sensor Simulation**: Enhancing sensor capabilities across visual, radar, and infrared spectrums for mission rehearsal.
- **Growth Through Shield AI**: Leveraging acquisition to accelerate development and expand market reach.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven Work**: Directly contribute to national security and support U.S. Armed Forces and Allies.
- **Cutting-Edge Tech**: Work with state-of-the-art AI/ML, 8K real-time graphics, and mixed reality systems.
- **Stability & Growth**: Long-standing company (27+ years) with consistent growth and recent acquisition by Shield AI.
- **Culture**: Emphasizes innovation, trustworthiness, and "performance without compromise" as core values.
- **Locations**: South San Francisco, CA (HQ); Overland Park, KS; Orlando, FL; Farmer's Branch, TX; presence in Spain and Canada.
- **Open Roles**: 17 active positions across Software Engineering, QA, Data Science, Systems Engineering, IT, and Content Creation (as of search date).

## Sources
1. [aechelon.com](https://aechelon.com/)
2. [aechelon.com/about](https://aechelon.com/about/)
3. [aechelon.com/careers](https://aechelon.com/careers/)
4. [Greenhouse Job Board](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/aechelontechnology)
5. [LinkedIn Company Page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/aechelon-technology)

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