Principal EO/IR Image Analytics Engineer – Space Payloads

Rocket Lab Corporation; Tucson (AZ); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Algorithm Engineer in Tucson, AZ to develop and deploy advanced EO/IR image-processing algorithms for space payloads. You will collaborate with ML, optical design, and space vehicle teams to prototype processing chains and validate performance.

You will apply deep learning and traditional methods to detect and track objects in challenging EO/IR data, and help transition algorithms to real-time in production environments. U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of experience, master's 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 in designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing image processing and computer vision algorithms for EO/IR sensors.
• Broad experience in areas of computer vision, 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and validate complex EO/IR image-processing chains and support their deployment into real-time implementations on space-based sensor payloads.
• Bring your understanding of the physics of optical sensors and image formation to develop and optimize modeling and simulation frameworks to simulation mission imagery.
• Use these simulation frameworks to synthesize mission imagery to support machine learning training and image algorithm validation.
• Apply classical and modern (deep learning) approaches to detect and track low-SNR objects within EO/IR imagery for mission-critical applications.
• 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 system 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 matters pertaining to project development.
• Support travel or off-site work, as needed.

Skills

Python

Image processing

Computer vision

Deep learning

EO/IR systems

Mathematical modeling

Education

Bachelor's degree with 12+ years experience

Master's degree with 8+ years experience

Ph.D. with 5+ years experience

Tools

C/C++

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Simulation frameworks

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Principal Algorithm Engineer in Tucson, AZ to develop and deploy advanced EO/IR image-processing algorithms for space payloads. You will collaborate with ML, optical design, and space vehicle teams to prototype processing chains and validate performance.

You will apply deep learning and traditional methods to detect and track objects in challenging EO/IR data, and help transition algorithms to real-time in production environments. U.S.