Senior Systems Engineer II/Principal (EO/IR Image Analysis)

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable scientific exploration, Earth observation, missions to combat climate change, national security, and technology demonstrations. Our Space Systems team designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components, including spacecraft for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

About the Role

As a Senior/Principal Systems Engineer (EO/IR) based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will work closely with design and systems engineering team members to provide quantitative technical guidance, requirements decomposition, modeling and simulation, algorithm assessment, and EO/IR sensor performance evaluation. Join a driven team tackling challenging projects in space-based payloads for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with researchers on projects related to machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computer vision.
• Perform rapid prototyping and enhanced development to support integration into operational systems.
• Develop and modify simulations for the design, prototyping, integration, testing, and performance assessment of EO/IR sensor hardware and algorithms.
• Contribute strong programming ability and technical judgment to develop robust solutions for real-world mission problems.
• Validate, optimize, and deploy advanced exploitation algorithms, including algorithm design, implementation, analysis, testing, and optimization.
• Guide and author data collection, analysis, and performance assessment software.
• Decompose high-level customer requirements into EO/IR subsystem requirements to inform hardware, software, firmware, and systems engineering execution.
• Collaborate closely with firmware development, electronics interface control, hardware engineering, software engineering, and systems engineering teams.
• Design calibration and characterization experiments for EO/IR sensors, sensor models, and supporting test equipment.
• Participate in engineering lab environments to test, verify, and validate sensor models and EO/IR sensor performance in accordance with requirements.
• Use excellent investigative and troubleshooting skills to assess issues and develop resolutions in the lab and in the field.
• Work proactively to complete tasks with little direction.
• Communicate effectively with project management, customers, and team members across disciplines.
• Attend technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in matters pertaining to project development.
• Provide status on assigned tasks and program schedules.
• Review documents and resolve technical engineering and integration issues.
• Manage time and resources to meet assigned deadlines.
• Support travel or off-site work, as needed.

Requirements

Senior Systems Engineer II (EO/IR):

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, optical sciences, science, or other technical discipline.
• Active Secret/Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
• 8+ years of professional experience.
• Experience with Python and/or MATLAB for analysis, modeling, simulation, or algorithm development.
• Experience with algorithm design, implementation, analysis, testing, and optimization.
• Ability to contribute to the completion of program and project milestones.

Principal Systems Engineer (EO/IR):

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, optical sciences, science, or other technical discipline.
• Active Secret/Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
• 12+ years of professional experience.
• Experience with Python and/or MATLAB for analysis, modeling, simulation, or algorithm development.
• Experience with algorithm design, implementation, analysis, testing, and optimization.
• Ability to contribute to the completion of program and project milestones.

Skills

• Master’s degree or PhD in Physics, optical sciences, science, or another technical discipline (preferred).
• Hands-on expertise with electro-optical systems, infrared imaging systems, light sources, military systems, and/or space payloads.
• Working knowledge of MATLAB, Python, and C++ computer languages, including computer interfacing techniques.
• Knowledge of optical design and analysis tools such as Zemax, Code V, and FRED.
• Expertise in modeling and simulation, including multiple EO/IR phenomenologies.
• Subject matter expertise using MATLAB or Python for analysis of complex data sets.
• Experience with space systems applications supporting customer programs.
• Experience briefing analysis results to technical and non-technical government customers.
• 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.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Team player incorporating a team-based success philosophy.

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.