{"id":2295056,"url":"https://alion.io/job/rocket-lab-scientist-eoir-image-analysis","title":"Scientist (EO/IR Image Analysis)","company":{"id":684473,"name":"Rocket Lab","domain":"rocketlab.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/rocketlab-2","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":80,"open_postings":77,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.792,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":39,"computed_at":"2026-10-12T06:55:09Z"}},"role":"Science & Research","role_family":"Science & Research","seniority":"staff","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Tucson, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":111000,"max_usd":245000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":189},"experience_years_min":12,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"C++","optional":false},{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-11T17:59:18Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-11","last_verified_at":"2026-10-12T08:54:19Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":0,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":0},"description":"ABOUT ROCKET LAB\nRocket 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.\nSPACE SYSTEMS\nRocket 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.\nThe 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.\nSCIENTIST (EO/IR IMAGE ANALYSIS)\nRocket 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.\nAs a Scientist of EO/IR image analysis and pattern recognition for Rocket Lab Optical Systems worksite in Tucson, AZ, you will develop, validate, and deploy algorithms for advanced image processing, object detection, and tracking EO/IR space payloads.\nWHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO\nDevelop, validate, and optimize algorithms for EO/IR sensor data, including a broad range of image processing techniques such as noise reduction, image enhancement, image registration, correction, and pattern recognition.\nApply pattern recognition techniques to detect, classify, and track objects in EO/IR data for mission-critical applications.\nBuild and enhance modeling and simulation libraries, including the development and utilization of image simulators to generate synthetic EO/IR data for algorithm development, testing, and validation in support of EO/IR payload missions.\nSupport and enhance existing operational programs, including maintaining and improving deployed algorithms, troubleshooting fielded systems, and ensuring ongoing system performance and reliability.\nImplement and test algorithm improvements in deployed systems to support ongoing mission needs.\nApply strong programming skills (MATLAB, Python, C/C++) to develop robust solutions for real-world mission problems.\nAnalyze large and complex EO/IR datasets to extract features, identify patterns, and assess algorithm performance.\nDevelop and document software tools for data collection, analysis, and performance assessment.\nDecompose high-level customer requirements into algorithm and subsystem requirements to inform software and systems engineering execution.\nDocument and present algorithm performance results to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including government customers.\nAttend technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in matters pertaining to project development.\nProvide status on assigned tasks and program schedules.\nSupport travel or off-site work, as needed.\nYOU’LL BRING THSES QUALIFICATIONS AS A SCIENTIST\nBachelor's degree in physics, optical sciences, computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline with demonstrated experience in image processing or EO/IR systems.\nActive U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility; U.S. citizenship required.\n12+ years of professional experience.\nDemonstrated experience with MATLAB, Python, and/or C/C++ for analysis, modeling, simulation, or algorithm development.\nStrong experience designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing algorithms for EO/IR sensors, with a focus on image processing and pattern recognition.\nStrong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document technical work and present results to diverse audiences.\nAbility to contribute to the completion of programs and project milestones.\nTHESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE\nMaster's degree or PhD in physics, optical sciences, computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline.\nExperience with pattern recognition methods for EO/IR applications, including feature extraction, classification, and tracking.\nExperience with sensor calibration procedures (radiometric, geometric, temporal) for EO/IR systems.\nExpertise in modeling and simulation, including multiple EO/IR phenomenologies.\nExperience across all phases of product development, including proposal design architectures, requirements generation, design development, integration, verification, and transition to production.\nExperience managing or leading others in a technical and/or functional capacity within an engineering environment.\nThis 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.\nWHAT TO EXPECT \nWe’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. \nImportant information:\nFOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:\nTo conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.\nRocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. 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.\nApplicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at . This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.\nFOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:\nFor security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations. \nUnder these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.","description_format":"text","description_chars":8532,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":12,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Launch Services","Satellite Manufacturing"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-11T20:35:55Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 9 · green card filings: 1","filings_12m":9,"filings_prev_12m":4,"green_card_filings_12m":1,"median_offered_wage_usd":177500,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-03T21:08:04+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)","US Department of Labor: PERM disclosure data (green cards)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":60,"band":"ok","label":"Likely open","p_open":1,"p_active":0.602,"p_room":1,"age_days":0,"expected_fill_days":39,"reasons":["conf:3","stale_co","win:early","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-12T06:55:09Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/rocket-lab-scientist-eoir-image-analysis","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/rocket-lab-scientist-eoir-image-analysis.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-12T12:15:55Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":19041,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-13T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":684473},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=684473"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Frocket-lab-scientist-eoir-image-analysis"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Frocket-lab-scientist-eoir-image-analysis"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Frocket-lab-scientist-eoir-image-analysis"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/rocket-lab-scientist-eoir-image-analysis\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Frocket-lab-scientist-eoir-image-analysis"}]}