Intern Software Engineer: Visual Simulation

About Lodestar

Lodestar's mission is to develop the first "Protect and Defend" capability for high-value space assets in orbit. Our flagship product, MITHRIL, is our hardware-agnostic, AI-enabled autonomy software suite that enables us to augment any off-the-shelf spacecraft with the ability to autonomously detect, characterise, and reversibly neutralise orbital threats. By building on the proven space heritage of our best-in-class satellite-bus partners and fully integrating MITHRIL into a single unified platform, we deliver an end-to-end, autonomous in-space bodyguarding service.

About the Job

We are looking for a motivated Software Engineer Intern to support our Perception team in developing and enhancing our synthetic dataset generation system. This role offers hands-on experience with the full associated pipeline, including modeling, material and texture work, automation scripts, and Game Engine development. This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to a core enabling technology for AI perception in space applications.

What You’ll Do

• Support the Perception team in creating high-quality synthetic datasets for satellite perception and AI training.
• Further develop the existing dataset generation pipeline to make necessary system updates and expansion, as well as optimize for efficiency and scalability.
• Perform mesh preparation, including 3D modeling, material creation, and texturing.
• Develop automation scripts for processing data and assets, and interfacing between tools.
• Implement scene generation workflows, world-building, and rendering within a 3D game engine. 
• Collaborate with engineers to prototype new dataset generation workflows.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Game Design, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Python and experience with C++.
• Experience with game engines (e.g. Unreal Engine, Unity, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with 3D modelling software (e.g., Blender, Maya, or equivalent).
• Enthusiastic, self-starter with a willingness to learn new tools and workflows.
• Good communication skills and ability to collaborate with a small, multidisciplinary team.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Understanding of 3D graphics, materials, and lighting.
• Experience with scripting pipelines for asset processing or automation.
• Experience in a Linux development environment.
• Exposure to AI/ML especially related to computer vision workflows.
• Familiarity with Git or version control systems.

Benefits

• Vibrant, open-plan office in London
• Be part of a scrappy, dynamic, multidisciplinary, collaborative crew
• Salary of £27,000 Pro Rata

Important Information:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations. 

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of one of the following countries: Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, or United States, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.