Senior EO/IR Image Analysis Scientist – Pattern Recognition

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

Job summary

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ seeks a Scientist to develop, validate, and deploy advanced EO/IR image analysis and pattern recognition algorithms for space payloads. You will work on noise reduction, image enhancement, registration, and feature extraction, applying MATLAB, Python, and C/C++ to real-world government missions.

The role requires a TS/SCI eligible clearance, US citizenship, and 12+ years of experience, with strong communication skills and a track record in modeling and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline with demonstrated image processing experience.
• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility; U.S. citizenship required.
• 12+ years of professional experience.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, and/or C/C++ for analysis, modeling, simulation, or algorithm development.
• Strong experience designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing EO/IR algorithms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to report results to diverse audiences.
• Ability to contribute to program milestones and customer deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Develop, validate, and optimize algorithms for EO/IR sensor data and pattern recognition.
• Build and enhance modeling and simulation libraries and synthetic EO/IR data generation.
• Maintain and improve deployed algorithms, troubleshoot fielded systems, and ensure performance.
• Implement and test algorithm improvements in deployed systems to meet mission needs.
• Document and present algorithm performance results to government customers and stakeholders.
• Decompose customer requirements into algorithm and subsystem requirements for software execution.

Skills

Image processing

EO/IR systems

Pattern recognition

Algorithm development

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics/optical sciences/CS/math/EE or related

Master's degree or PhD in related field (nice to have)

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C/C++

Job description

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ seeks a Scientist to develop, validate, and deploy advanced EO/IR image analysis and pattern recognition algorithms for space payloads. You will work on noise reduction, image enhancement, registration, and feature extraction, applying MATLAB, Python, and C/C++ to real-world government missions.

The role requires a TS/SCI eligible clearance, US citizenship, and 12+ years of experience, with strong communication skills and a track record in modeling and