Senior EO/IR Systems Engineer (Space Optics & ML/CV)

Rocket Lab Corp.; Tucson, Northern (AZ, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab seeks a Senior/Principal Systems Engineer (EO/IR) at its Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ. You will decompose requirements, model and simulate EO/IR sensor performance, and lead algorithm development for space payloads.

Expect collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams, rigorous testing, and a hands-on approach to deliver robust solutions for complex missions. Required are a physics/optics technical degree, Secret/Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility, U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physics, optical sciences, science, or other technical discipline.
• Active Secret/Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements.
• 8+ years of professional experience.
• Experience with Python and/or MATLAB for analysis, modeling, simulation, or algorithm development.
• Experience with algorithm design, implementation, analysis, testing, and optimization.
• Ability to contribute to the completion of program and project milestones.
• For Principal role: 12+ years of professional experience.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with researchers on projects related to machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computer vision.
• Perform rapid prototyping and enhanced development to support integration into operational systems.
• Develop and modify simulations for the design, prototyping, integration, testing, and performance assessment of EO/IR sensor hardware and algorithms.
• Contribute strong programming ability and technical judgment to develop robust solutions for real-world mission problems.
• Validate, optimize, and deploy advanced exploitation algorithms, including algorithm design, implementation, analysis, testing, and optimization.
• Guide and author data collection, analysis, and performance assessment software.
• Decompose high-level customer requirements into EO/IR subsystem requirements to inform hardware, software, firmware, and systems engineering execution.
• Collaborate closely with firmware development, electronics interface control, hardware engineering, software engineering, and systems engineering teams.
• Design calibration and characterization experiments for EO/IR sensors, sensor models, and supporting test equipment.
• Participate in engineering lab environments to test, verify, and validate sensor models and EO/IR sensor performance in accordance with requirements.
• Use excellent investigative and troubleshooting skills to assess issues and develop resolutions in the lab and in the field.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

C++

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics, optical sciences, science, or other technical discipline

Tools

Zemax

Code V

FRED

MATLAB

Python

C++

Job description

Rocket Lab seeks a Senior/Principal Systems Engineer (EO/IR) at its Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ. You will decompose requirements, model and simulate EO/IR sensor performance, and lead algorithm development for space payloads.

Expect collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams, rigorous testing, and a hands-on approach to deliver robust solutions for complex missions. Required are a physics/optics technical degree, Secret/Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility, U.S.