Senior EO/IR Image Processing Engineer

Rocket Lab; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Chantilly, VA seeks a Senior Algorithm Engineer II for EO/IR image-analysis-focused work on space payloads. You will develop, validate, and deploy advanced algorithms, collaborating with ML, optical design, and vehicle modeling teams to deliver robust sensing solutions for government customers.

The role requires strong Python and image-processing expertise, plus experience transitioning algorithms to high-performance real-time implementations on space payloads. U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a technical field with related EO/IR experience.
• Proven experience designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing image processing/vision algorithms for EO/IR sensors.
• Strong Python programming and software development skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to present results to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and validate EO/IR image-processing chains for real-time space payloads.
• Model and simulate optical sensor imagery to support ML training and algorithm validation.
• Apply traditional and deep learning methods for detection and tracking in EO/IR data.
• Collaborate with software/firmware teams to deploy algorithms in real-time systems.
• Maintain and improve deployed algorithms and troubleshoot fielded systems.

Skills

Python

Image processing

Deep learning

Communication skills

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Ph.D.

Tools

C/C++

Matlab

CUDA

Job description

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Chantilly, VA seeks a Senior Algorithm Engineer II for EO/IR image-analysis-focused work on space payloads. You will develop, validate, and deploy advanced algorithms, collaborating with ML, optical design, and vehicle modeling teams to deliver robust sensing solutions for government customers.

The role requires strong Python and image-processing expertise, plus experience transitioning algorithms to high-performance real-time implementations on space payloads. U.S.