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Salary: USD 162,000 - 243,000 / annual
Rocket Lab Optical Systems, part of Rocket Lab's Space Systems division, is seeking a Senior Algorithm Engineer II to develop and deploy advanced algorithms for electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) space payloads. This role focuses on image processing, object detection, and tracking for mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance applications serving Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers.
You will develop, optimize, and validate complex EO/IR image-processing chains and support their deployment into real-time implementations on space-based sensor payloads. Key responsibilities include:
• Develop and optimize modeling and simulation frameworks that leverage understanding of optical sensor physics and image formation to simulate 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
• Work 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
Rocket Lab's Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
REQUIREMENTS:
• Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of experience, Master's degree with 5+ years of experience, or Ph.D. with 2+ 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 in designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing image processing and computer vision algorithms for EO/IR sensors
• Broad experience in computer vision areas such as 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 and ITAR regulations
• 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
