Principal Algorithm Engineer (EO/IR Image Analysis) Verified today

About Rocket Lab Optical Systems

Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. You'll work on innovative electro-optical and infrared system designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments, drawing on over 20 years of innovation expertise.

What you'll do

• Develop, optimize, and validate complex EO/IR image-processing chains and support their deployment into real-time implementations on space-based sensor payloads
• Apply optical sensor physics to develop and optimize modeling and simulation frameworks for mission imagery
• Synthesize mission imagery using simulation frameworks 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 and troubleshooting fielded systems
• 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 project development matters
• Support travel or off-site work as needed

Your qualifications

• 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
• Demonstrated experience in image processing or EO/IR systems
• Strong experience designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing image processing and computer vision algorithms for EO/IR sensors
• Broad experience in computer vision areas including 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 with 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 required due to program requirements
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance

Nice to have

• Strong background in 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

Compensation

Base salary: $259,000 to $370,000 USD. Total compensation (base and equity): $370,275 to $626,600 USD. Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Benefits

Industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero-cost HDHP option with 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, 401(k) retirement plan with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise store, and additional employee discounts.