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Senior Algorithm Engineer II (EO/IR Image Analysis) Verified today

Rocket Lab · Long Beach, CA · Payload · first seen 2026-09-17
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About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions including lunar and Mars exploration, in-space manufacturing, and national security initiatives for NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

The Role

As a Senior Algorithm Engineer II for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Long Beach, CA, you will support Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) by building deep learning neural networks for advanced Electro-Optical (EO/IR) image processing.

What You'll Do

  • Develop computer vision algorithms and deep neural networks for image and video processing chains
  • Collaborate with researchers and engineers on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision
  • Work with physics-based image simulation frameworks to scale training and validation data
  • Design, train, and deploy machine learning models for Optical Systems applications
  • Perform rapid prototyping and enhanced development to be integrated into operational systems
  • Troubleshoot, debug, and maintain existing and new systems
  • Stay current with ML research and evaluate new tools, frameworks, and techniques

Your Background

You must have one of the following:

  • Bachelor's degree with 8+ years of experience
  • Master's degree with 5+ years of experience
  • 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.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Strong background in mathematics and machine learning fundamentals: model selection, architecting, training, validation, testing, and deployment
  • Experience building deep learning neural networks (e.g., CNN) for computer vision, image processing, or analysis such as object detection, image segmentation, and tracking
  • Strong mathematics background, particularly linear algebra and optimization theory
  • 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 a 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

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary: $153,000 to $204,000 USD. Total compensation including equity: $130,000 to $229,100 USD.

Benefits include company stock, Employee Stock Purchase Program (15% discount), medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero-cost HDHP with HSA 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) with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and other employee discounts.

Working Conditions

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