Rocket Lab USA

Rocket Lab USA

Principal Algorithm Engineer (EO/IR Image Analysis)

East Long Beach, Los Angeles County · Principal

No sponsorship$370k-$627kDetected 35 days ago
TypeScriptPythonC++CAlgorithmsMachine LearningDeep LearningComputer VisionCybersecurityMechanical DesignElectrical EngineeringLeadershipCommunication

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odds of building a lasting career here

56Sponsors, lottery-bound
Cap-exempt (no lottery)0
Sponsors this role72
Entry-level history0
PERM / green-card track0
Lottery odds (Level IV)94
Fits your clock70

Sponsors, but it's cap-subject — you still face the weighted lottery (~61% per draw at Level IV). Good if you win; have a cap-exempt backup on your list.

Lottery odds assume a STEM candidate.

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About the role

  • As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.
  • 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.
  • It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible.

Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Support and enhance existing operational programs, including maintaining and improving deployed algorithms, troubleshooting fielded systems, and ensuring ongoing system performance and reliability.
  • Document and present algorithm performance results to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including government customers.
  • Support travel or off-site work, as needed.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document technical work and present results to diverse audiences.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance.
  • Experience across all phases of product development, including proposal design architectures, requirements generation, design development, integration, verification, and transition to production.

Requirements

  • Proficiency in Python with strong programming skills.
  • U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
  • 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++

Compensation

  • $259,000 - $370,000 USD
  • 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.
  • 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.

Benefits

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Experience with modern, deep-learning-based approaches to computer vision.

Company info

  • Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers.

Visa & Work Authorization

  • citizenship is required due to program requirements
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This listing is sourced directly from Rocket Lab USA's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.