Senior Algorithm Engineer II (EOIR Image Analysis)

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets spacecraft and critical subsystems that keep the world connected protected expand humanitys reach to the Moon Mars and beyond. We move fast build real hardware for meaningful missions and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

Rocket Labs Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels flight software star trackers optical systems separation systems and radios.

The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have 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 its a single high-performance spacecraft constellation or the vertically integrated components that help get to space our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR ALGORITHM ENGINEER II - (EO/IR IMAGE ANALYSIS)

Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community 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 from Geost Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior Algorithm Engineer II for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Long Beach CA you will develop validate and deploy advanced algorithms for advanced EO/IR space payloads with an emphasis on image processing object detection and tracking. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in machine learning optical design and space vehicle modeling and simulation as well as design and protype processing claims for next-generation space payloads.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO

• Develop optimize and validate complex EO/IR image-processing chains and support their deployment into real-time implementations on space-based sensor payloads.
• Bring your understanding of the physics of optical sensors and image formation to develop and optimize modeling and simulation frameworks to simulation mission imagery.
• Use these simulation frameworks to synthesize mission imagery to support machine learning training and image algorithm validation.
• Apply classical and modern (deep learning) approaches to detect and track low-SNR objects within EO/IR imagery for mission-critical applications.
• Work with software and firmware teams to transition complex image-processing algorithms into high-performance real-time implementations.
• Support and enhance existing operational programs including maintaining and improving deployed algorithms troubleshooting fielded systems and ensuring ongoing system performance and reliability.
• Analyze large and complex EO/IR datasets to extract analytics and assess algorithm performance.
• Document and present algorithm performance results to technical and non-technical stakeholders including government customers.
• Attend technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in matters pertaining to project development.
• Support travel or off-site work as needed.

YOULL BRING THSES QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR ALGORITHM ENGINEER II

• Bachelors degree with 8 years of experience masters degree with 5 years of experience or Ph.D. with 2 years of experience in physics optical sciences computer science mathematics mechanical engineering electrical engineering or a related technical discipline with demonstrated experience in image processing or EO/IR systems.
• Strong experience in designing implementing testing and optimizing image processing and computer vision algorithms for EO/IR sensors.
• Broad experience in areas of computer vision such as image stabilization/registration 3-D multi-view camera modeling pose reconstruction (bundle adjustment) object detection and tracking and background suppression.
• Proficiency in Python with strong programming skills.
• Demonstrated experience image-system modeling and simulation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to document technical work and present results to diverse audiences.
• Ability to contribute to a high-performance team.
• Leadership skills supporting the completion of program and project milestones.
• S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE

• Strong math background particularly linear algebra.
• Experience with modern deep-learning-based approaches to computer vision.
• Experience with space-looking or space-based imaging systems.
• Experience with sensor calibration procedures (radiometric geometric temporal) for EO/IR systems.
• Proficiency in C/C
• Experience across all phases of product development including proposal design architectures requirements generation design development integration verification and transition to production.
• Experience managing or leading others in a technical and/or functional capacity within an engineering environment.
• 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.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats not an easy task. It takes hard work determination relentless innovation teamwork grit and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each others backs checking our egos at the door and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure work to tight deadlines and our focus is always on how we can deliver rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder) or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia Japan New Zealand Switzerland the European Union or a country that is part of NATO or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations click here ITAR Regulations.