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Rocket Lab's Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and subsystems for space missions. The Optical Systems team within Space Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers, delivering electro-optical and infrared systems for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.
As a Data Scientist I for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ, you will support Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture by modeling, simulation, prototyping, and characterization of advanced EO/IR payloads that support national defense space missions.
Key responsibilities include:
- Guide and author data collection and analysis software
- Analyze and assess payload calibration data
- Shadow algorithm development subject matter experts
- Collaborate closely with firmware development, electronics interface control, and optical teams
- Use investigative and troubleshooting skills to assess issues and develop resolutions in lab and field settings
- Communicate effectively with project management, customers, and cross-disciplinary team members
- Attend technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in project development matters
- Provide status updates on assigned tasks and program schedules
- Review documents and resolve technical engineering and integration issues
- Manage time and resources to meet assigned deadlines
- Develop detection and calibration algorithms for optical systems throughout their product lifecycle
- Simulate all parts of electro-optical payloads: radiometric, detector, and optical prescriptions
- Take initiative to identify problems and present solutions
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
QUALIFICATIONS (Required):
- Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Math, or related field
- Ability to obtain security clearance
- Experience in optical systems development, performance modeling, and/or data analysis
- Strong data analysis, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
- Working knowledge of MATLAB, Python, C/C++
QUALIFICATIONS (Preferred):
- Master's or PhD degree
- Experience with EO/IR payloads, infrared focal planes, or space-based sensor systems
- Experience writing alignment procedures, test scripts, and verification plans
- Experience with automated test equipment or optical STE
- Active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance
- Hands-on experience with optical alignment, metrology, interferometry, and imaging-system characterization
- Hands-on expertise with electro-optical systems, imaging systems, light sources, and/or military/space payloads
Note: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations (ITAR), candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted as a refugee/asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Commerce.
