Full-Stack Aerospace / Systems Engineer – Stratospheric Balloon Intelligence Network

The World Disaster Center (WDC) is developing a next-generation stratospheric sensing and early-warning infrastructure designed to improve real-time disaster intelligence and environmental monitoring.

We are building a fleet of high-altitude balloon systems (HAPS-inspired platforms) equipped with imaging, sensing, and edge computing capabilities to collect real-time data for disaster preparedness, response coordination, and climate resilience.

This is a high-stakes engineering initiative operating at the intersection of aerospace systems, embedded computing, computer vision, and distributed sensing networks.

Role: Full-Stack Aerospace / Systems Engineer

We are seeking highly disciplined engineers to help design, build, and deploy the first generation of stratospheric balloon platforms that will form the foundation of a 20-unit sensing network.

This is a hands-on engineering role, not a research-only or learning opportunity. You will contribute directly to a live system under development.

Core Responsibilities

• Design and develop stratospheric balloon system architecture (payload, power, stability, endurance)
• Build and integrate onboard systems (sensors, cameras, embedded computing units)
• Develop real-time data capture and transmission systems from balloon to ground stations
• Support design of edge AI / computer vision systems for real-time environmental detection
• Work on communication systems (LTE, LoRa, satellite fallback where applicable)
• Contribute to system reliability, testing, and deployment of initial prototype units
• Support scaling roadmap toward a multi-unit (20+ balloon) distributed sensing network

Required Skills & Experience

We are looking for candidates with strong execution capability in at least one of the following areas:

• Aerospace engineering, robotics, UAVs, or stratospheric systems
• Embedded systems development (C/C++, microcontrollers, Raspberry Pi, Jetson, etc.)
• Computer vision or edge AI (OpenCV, PyTorch, TensorFlow)
• Networking / communications systems (IoT, LTE, LoRa, mesh networks)
• Hardware-software integration in real-world environments

Additional expectations:

• Ability to work in fast-paced, experimental engineering environments
• Strong problem-solving mindset under real-world constraints
• Experience building deployed systems (not only academic projects)

Preferred Experience

• UAV / drone systems development
• High-altitude or atmospheric sensing projects
• Satellite, aerospace, or defense-related engineering experience
• Distributed systems or real-time data infrastructure
• Field deployment experience of hardware systems

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on a cutting-edge stratospheric sensing infrastructure project
• Early-stage involvement in a system with long-term global scaling potential
• Direct impact on disaster preparedness and climate intelligence systems
• Exposure to multidisciplinary engineering challenges across aerospace + AI + IoT
• Flexible remote-first collaboration (with potential field testing involvement)

Important Note

This is a serious engineering initiative involving real-world deployment and operational constraints. We are seeking individuals who are committed to building functional systems—not theoretical exploration or training-based participation.

How to Apply

Please send:

• CV or LinkedIn profile
• Brief description of relevant engineering experience
• Links to GitHub, projects, or deployed systems (if available)
• Short note on why you are interested in stratospheric or distributed sensing systems

About WDC

The World Disaster Center (WDC) is developing global systems for disaster prediction, response coordination, and resilience infrastructure. Our long-term vision is to build scalable, technology-driven systems that strengthen early-warning capabilities and improve global crisis response mechanisms.