# Principal Algorithm Engineer (EO/IR Image Analysis) at Rocket Lab > United States · Principal · Software engineering · open. Source: https://alderhq.app/jobs/greenhouse%3Arocketlab%3A7997781003 (read 2026-11-04). ## Facts (observed) - Company: [Rocket Lab](https://alderhq.app/companies/rocket-lab) - Location text: Chantilly, VA; Geost Wetmore - Where it can be done from (inferred): United States (evidence: "Location: Chantilly, VA; Geost Wetmore") - Posted: 2026-09-16 (48 days ago) - First seen by alder: 2026-11-03 · last verified: 2026-11-04 - Reposted: 0 times · edited: 0 times - Apply on the employer's site: https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/rocketlab/jobs/7997781003 ## Pay and sponsorship - Posted pay: $199k–$318k per year (from the listing's pay field) - Market band for similar posted roles (United States, n 451): p25 $206k, median $240k, p75 $283k ## Description (the employer's text) ### 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. ### PRINCIPAL ALGORITHM ENGINEER - (EO/IR IMAGE ANALYSIS) 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 Principal Algorithm Engineer for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Chantilly, VA, you will develop, validate, and deploy advanced algorithms for advanced EO/IR space payloads, with an emphasis on image processing, object detection, and tracking. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in machine learning, optical design, and space vehicle modeling and simulation as well as design and protype processing claims for next-generation space payloads. ### WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO - 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. - 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. - Work with software and firmware teams to transition complex image-processing algorithms into high-performance, real-time implementations. - Support and enhance existing operational programs, including maintaining and improving deployed algorithms, troubleshooting fielded systems, and ensuring ongoing system performance and reliability. - Analyze large and complex EO/IR datasets to extract analytics and assess algorithm performance. - Document and present algorithm performance results to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including government customers. - Attend technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in matters pertaining to project development. - Support travel or off-site work, as needed. ### YOU’LL BRING THSES QUALIFICATIONS AS A PRINCIPAL ALGORITHM ENGINEER - Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of experience, master's degree with 8+ years of experience, or Ph.D. with 5+ years of experience in physics, optical sciences, computer science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline with demonstrated experience in image processing or EO/IR systems. - Strong experience in designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing image processing and computer vision algorithms for EO/IR sensors. --- Data: alder (https://alderhq.app). Cite https://alderhq.app/jobs/greenhouse%3Arocketlab%3A7997781003 and the date you read it. Observed facts come from the employer's own listing; location reach, level, family and skills are inferences.