Principal Algorithm Engineer (EO/IR Image Analysis)

Principal Algorithm Engineer (EO/IR Image Analysis)

Long Beach, CA

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's 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.

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 Principal Algorithm Engineer 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 prototype processing claims for next-generation space payloads.

What You'll 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.

You'll Bring These Qualifications As A Principal Algorithm Engineer

• Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of experience, master's degree with 8+ years of experience, or Ph.D. with 5+ 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.
• U.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.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance. Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company. Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts. Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$370,275 - $626,600 USD

Base Salary

$259,000 - $370,000 USD

We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's 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 other's 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.

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.