Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Rocket Lab; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division in Chantilly, VA seeks a Senior Machine Learning Engineer II to build and deploy ML models for space domain image processing. You will develop end-to-end ML pipelines, collaborate with researchers, and keep pace with state-of-the-art ML methods. U.S.

citizenship and ability to obtain security clearance are required. Ideal candidates have 8+ years (or equivalent) in ML, strong Python and DL frameworks, and a background in computer vision.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of exp, or a Master's with 6+ yrs, or PhD in CS/ECE/ME/Physics, or related field.
• Experience with ML model selection, training, validation, testing and deployment.
• Experience building deep learning models for computer vision, image processing, or video analysis.
• Proficiency in Python and DL libraries (Keras, TensorFlow, PyTorch).
• Software engineering fundamentals: version control, testing, CI/CD, containerization.
• U.S. citizenship required for program access and ability to obtain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Contribute your experience to developing solutions for real-world problems.
• Design, train, and deploy machine learning models for Optical Systems applications.
• Build and maintain ML pipelines for data ingestion, feature engineering, training, and inference.
• Collaborate with researchers/engineers on AI, ML, and computer vision.
• Rapid prototyping to be integrated into operational systems.
• Troubleshoot, fix bugs, and maintain existing and new systems.
• Stay current with ML research and evaluate new tools, frameworks, and techniques

Skills

Python

DL libraries (Keras, TF, PyTorch)

Software engineering basics

ML fundamentals (model selection, etc)

CV / image processing / video analysis

U.S. citizenship

Security clearance readiness

C/C++/Rust (nice to have)

Education

Bachelor's + 8+ yrs OR Master's + 6+ yrs OR PhD in CS/ECE/ME/Physics

Tools

N/A

Job description

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR MACHINE LEARNING ENGINEER II

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior Machine Learning Engineer II based at our Optical Systems sites in Chantilly, VA, you will have the opportunity to support Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) and beyond by building deep learning neural networks for advanced Electro-Optical (EO/IR) image processing.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Contribute your experience to developing solutions for real-world problems.


• Design, train, and deploy machine learning models for Optical Systems applications


• Build and maintain ML pipelines for data ingestion, feature engineering, training, and inference.


• Collaborate with other researchers/engineers on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision.


• Preform rapid prototyping and enhanced development to be integrated into operational systems.


• Perform troubleshooting, bug fixes, and maintenance of existing and new systems.


• Stay current with ML research and evaluate new tools, frameworks, and techniques

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR IN A SENIOR MACHINE LEARNING ENGINEER II:

• Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of experience, master’s degree and 6+ years of experience, or a Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field


• Strong background in machine learning including model selection, architecting, training, validation, testing, and deployment


• Experience in building deep learning neural network for computer vision, image processing, or video analysis (e.g., object detection, image segmentation, and tracking)


• Proficiency in Python


• Experience with deep learning libraries (Keras, TensorFlow, Pytorch, etc)


• Software engineering fundamentals: version control, testing, CI/CD, containerization


• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements


• Ability to obtain and maintain an U.S. Government Security Clearance

NICE TO HAVE:

• Proficiency in C/C++/Rust


• Experience curating quality, real-world datasets for training deep learning models


• TS/SCI security clearance

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.