Senior Machine Learning Engineer II (EO/IR Image Analysis)
Designs, trains, and deploys deep learning models and ML pipelines for electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) satellite image analysis, supporting the U.S. Space Development Agency's PWSA Tranche 3 program at Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ. Day-to-day work spans computer vision prototyping, training/inference pipelines, and Python-based deep learning.
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Tucson, AZ
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Senior
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- 8+ years
- Category
- Ml / AI
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of experience, or a master's degree or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field
- Strong background in machine learning including model selection, architecting, training, validation, testing, and deployment
- Experience building deep learning neural networks for computer vision, image processing, or video analysis (e.g., object detection, image segmentation, and tracking)
- Strong math background, particularly linear algebra
- 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
Full description
ABOUT ROCKET LAB
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.
SPACE SYSTEMS
Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.
The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help get to space — our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.
SENIOR MACHINE LEARNING ENGINEER II
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 Senior Machine Learning Engineer II for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to support Tranche 3 of the U.S. Space Development Agency's (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) and beyond 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 other researchers/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.
- Preform rapid prototyping and enhanced development to be integrated into operational systems.
- Perform troubleshooting, bug fixes, and maintenance of existing and new systems.