Senior EO/IR Image-Processing Architect (Space Payloads)

Rocket Lab; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Chantilly, VA seeks a Senior Principal Algorithm Engineer for EO/IR image analysis to develop and deploy advanced algorithms for space payloads. You will lead image-processing pipelines and collaborate across ML, optical design, and space vehicle modeling teams.

You will optimize real-time EO/IR processing, validate algorithms, and present results to government customers, with responsibilities including documentation, system performance, and field support. U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of experience, master's with 8+ years, or Ph.D. with 5+ years in physics, optical sciences, CS, math or engineering with EO/IR experience.
• Strong experience designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing image processing and computer vision algorithms for EO/IR sensors.
• Broad CV experience: image stabilization/registration, 3-D modeling, pose reconstruction, object detection/tracking, background suppression.
• Proficiency in Python with strong programming skills.
• Experience in image-system modeling and simulation.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to document work and present results.
• Leadership skills and ability to contribute to a high-performance team.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain/maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and validate EO/IR image-processing chains and support deployment into real-time implementations on space-based sensor payloads.
• Apply physics of optical sensors to develop modeling and simulation frameworks for mission imagery.
• Use simulation frameworks to synthesize imagery for ML training and algorithm validation.
• Apply classical and deep learning approaches to detect and track low-SNR objects in EO/IR imagery.
• Collaborate with software/firmware teams to transition algorithms into high-performance real-time implementations.
• Support and enhance operational programs, maintain deployed algorithms, troubleshoot fielded systems, ensure performance and reliability.
• Analyze large EO/IR datasets to extract analytics and assess algorithm performance.
• Document and present results to government customers and stakeholders.
• Attend technical meetings and represent the organization in project development matters.
• Support travel or off-site work as needed.

Skills

Python

Computer Vision

Image Processing

EO/IR

Deep Learning

Real-time Systems

C/C++

Education

Bachelor's degree + 12+ years experience

Master's degree + 8+ years

Ph.D. + 5+ years

Tools

Python

Job description

Rocket Lab in Chantilly, VA seeks a Senior Principal Algorithm Engineer for EO/IR image analysis to develop and deploy advanced algorithms for space payloads. You will lead image-processing pipelines and collaborate across ML, optical design, and space vehicle modeling teams.

You will optimize real-time EO/IR processing, validate algorithms, and present results to government customers, with responsibilities including documentation, system performance, and field support. U.S.