Senior EO/IR Image Analysis Scientist

Rocket Lab; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division seeks a Senior Scientist II / Principal Algorithm Engineer to lead EO/IR image processing and pattern recognition for advanced space payloads. You will analyze complex datasets, develop robust algorithms, and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams for mission-critical guidance.

The role emphasizes modeling, simulation, and deployment of software tools, with strong programming in MATLAB, Python, and C/C++.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, optical sciences, computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline with demonstrated experience in image processing or EO/IR systems.
• Demonstrated experience with MATLAB, Python, and/or C/C++ for analysis, modeling, simulation, or algorithm development.
• Strong experience designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing algorithms for EO/IR sensors, with a focus on image processing and pattern recognition.
• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and optimize EO/IR algorithms for sensor data, including image processing and pattern recognition.
• Apply pattern-recognition techniques to detect, classify, and track objects in EO/IR data for mission-critical applications.
• Build and enhance modeling libraries and image simulators to generate synthetic EO/IR data for development and testing.
• Maintain and improve deployed algorithms, troubleshoot fielded systems, and ensure ongoing performance and reliability.
• Implement and test algorithm improvements in deployed systems to support mission needs.
• Apply MATLAB, Python, and C/C++ to develop robust solutions for real-world problems.
• Analyze large EO/IR datasets to extract features and assess algorithm performance.
• Document and present algorithm performance results to government customers and stakeholders.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics, optical sciences, computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering, or a related field

Job description

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division seeks a Senior Scientist II / Principal Algorithm Engineer to lead EO/IR image processing and pattern recognition for advanced space payloads. You will analyze complex datasets, develop robust algorithms, and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams for mission-critical guidance.

The role emphasizes modeling, simulation, and deployment of software tools, with strong programming in MATLAB, Python, and C/C++.