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Rocket Lab Optical Systems, part of Rocket Lab's Space Systems division, is seeking a Principal Algorithm Engineer to develop advanced algorithms for electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) space-based payloads. The division delivers mission-critical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance solutions for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers, building on over 20 years of innovation in optical systems.
In this role, you will develop, validate, and deploy advanced algorithms for EO/IR space payloads with emphasis on image processing, object detection, and tracking. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams spanning machine learning, optical design, and space vehicle modeling and simulation, while designing and prototyping processing solutions for next-generation space payloads.
Key responsibilities include:
- Develop, optimize, and validate complex EO/IR image-processing chains and support their deployment into real-time implementations on space-based sensor payloads
- Apply understanding of optical sensor physics and image formation to develop and optimize modeling and simulation frameworks for mission imagery
- Synthesize mission imagery using simulation frameworks to support machine learning training and algorithm validation
- Apply classical and modern (deep learning) approaches to detect and track low-signal-to-noise-ratio objects within EO/IR imagery for mission-critical applications
- Collaborate with software and firmware teams to transition complex image-processing algorithms into high-performance, real-time implementations
- Support and enhance existing operational programs, including maintaining and improving deployed algorithms, troubleshooting fielded systems, and ensuring ongoing performance and reliability
- Analyze large and complex EO/IR datasets to extract analytics and assess algorithm performance
- Document and present algorithm performance results to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including government customers
- Attend technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in project development matters
- Support travel or off-site work as needed
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of experience, Master's degree with 8+ years of experience, or Ph.D. with 5+ years of experience in physics, optical sciences, computer science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline with demonstrated experience in image processing or EO/IR systems
- Strong experience designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing image processing and computer vision algorithms for EO/IR sensors
- Broad experience in computer vision areas including image stabilization/registration, 3-D multi-view camera modeling, pose reconstruction (bundle adjustment), object detection and tracking, and background suppression
- Proficiency in Python with strong programming skills
- Demonstrated experience in image-system modeling and simulation
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to document technical work and present results to diverse audiences
- Ability to contribute to a high-performance team
- Leadership skills supporting completion of program and project milestones
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance
Nice-to-have qualifications:
- Strong math background, particularly linear algebra
- Experience with modern, deep-learning-based approaches to computer vision
- Experience with space-looking or space-based imaging systems
- Experience with sensor calibration procedures (radiometric, geometric, temporal) for EO/IR systems
- Proficiency in C/C++
- Experience across all phases of product development including proposal design architectures, requirements generation, design development, integration, verification, and transition to production
- Experience managing or leading others in a technical and/or functional capacity within an engineering environment
- TS/SCI security clearance
