Senior EO/IR Image Analysis Scientist

Rocketlab; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab seeks a Senior Scientist II/Principal Scientist in Tucson, AZ to lead EO/IR image analysis and pattern recognition efforts for space payloads. You will develop, validate, and deploy advanced algorithms, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and provide quantitative guidance for government programs.

The role emphasizes MATLAB/Python/C/C++ development, modeling, and simulation, with opportunities to contribute to next‑generation space sensors. A TS/SCI eligible clearance and U.S.

Qualifications

• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility; U.S. citizenship required.
• 8+ years of professional experience.
• Experience designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing algorithms for EO/IR sensors, with focus on image processing and pattern recognition.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with ability to document technical work and present results to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and optimize algorithms for EO/IR sensor data.
• Apply pattern recognition to detect, classify, and track objects in EO/IR data.
• Build and utilize image simulators to generate synthetic EO/IR data for development and testing.
• Maintain and improve deployed algorithms, troubleshoot fielded systems, ensure performance and reliability.
• Implement and test algorithm improvements in deployed systems for ongoing mission needs.
• Apply MATLAB, Python, and C/C++ to develop robust mission solutions.
• Analyze large EO/IR datasets to extract features and assess performance.
• Document software tools for data collection, analysis, and performance assessment.
• Decompose customer requirements into algorithm and subsystem requirements.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Image processing

EO/IR systems

Pattern recognition

Technical communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics/optical sciences/CS/EE

Job description

Rocket Lab seeks a Senior Scientist II/Principal Scientist in Tucson, AZ to lead EO/IR image analysis and pattern recognition efforts for space payloads. You will develop, validate, and deploy advanced algorithms, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and provide quantitative guidance for government programs.

The role emphasizes MATLAB/Python/C/C++ development, modeling, and simulation, with opportunities to contribute to next‑generation space sensors. A TS/SCI eligible clearance and U.S.