Lead EO/IR Image Analysis Engineer for Space Payloads

Socket.dev; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ seeks a Principal Algorithm Engineer to develop, validate, and deploy advanced EO/IR image-processing algorithms for space-based payloads. You will collaborate across ML, optics, and vehicle modeling teams to build real-time processing capabilities and validate them with mission simulations.

The role requires strong Python and C/C++ skills, deep knowledge of computer vision, and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of experience, master's with 8+ years of experience, or Ph.D. with 5+ years in physics, optical sciences, computer science, mathematics, mechanical/electrical engineering or related field with EO/IR/image processing experience.
• Strong experience designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing image processing and computer vision algorithms for EO/IR sensors.
• Broad experience in vision topics: image stabilization/registration, 3-D multi-view modeling, pose reconstruction, object detection/tracking, background suppression.
• Proficiency in Python with strong programming skills.
• Demonstrated experience in image-system modeling and simulation.
• Strong communication skills and ability to present results to diverse audiences.
• Ability to obtain/maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and validate complex EO/IR image-processing chains and deploy them into real-time implementations on space-based sensor payloads.
• Develop and optimize modeling and simulation frameworks to simulate mission imagery for ML training and algorithm validation.
• Apply deep learning approaches to detect and track low-SNR objects in EO/IR imagery for mission-critical applications.
• Collaborate with software/firmware teams to transition algorithms into high-performance real-time implementations.
• Support and enhance deployed algorithms, troubleshoot fielded systems, and ensure ongoing performance and reliability.
• Analyze large EO/IR datasets to extract analytics and assess algorithm performance.
• Document and present algorithm results to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including government customers.
• Attend technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in project development matters.

Skills

Image processing

EO/IR systems

Python

Computer vision

Leadership

Communication

US security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree + 12+ years

Master's degree + 8+ years

PhD + 5+ years

Tools

C/C++

Job description

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ seeks a Principal Algorithm Engineer to develop, validate, and deploy advanced EO/IR image-processing algorithms for space-based payloads. You will collaborate across ML, optics, and vehicle modeling teams to build real-time processing capabilities and validate them with mission simulations.

The role requires strong Python and C/C++ skills, deep knowledge of computer vision, and the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.