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

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

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets - we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft and 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, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has 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 vertically integrated components that help missions get to space, our world-class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR/PRINCIPAL SYSTEMS ENGINEER (EO/IR) – SECRET CLEARANCE

Rocket Labs Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) 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, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

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 of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

(Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Systems Engineer II or Principal Systems Engineer level)

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO

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 with team members and other project personnel, 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 in order to meet assigned deadlines

Support travel or off-site work, as needed

Perform other duties as assigned

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS 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

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS 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

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE

Master’s degree or PhD in Physics, optical sciences, science, or another technical discipline

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

Experience in a dynamic and high-visibility role

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.

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace.

We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. 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.