Principal Algorithm Engineer (EO/IR Image Analysis)

Description

The company builds spacecraft, precision payloads, and the components and subsystems that let them operate in space, including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.

The optical systems team builds electro-optical and infrared payloads for space, terrestrial, and airborne use, and supports intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance work for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. The team draws on more than 20 years of EO/IR systems experience.

This Principal Algorithm Engineer role is based in Tucson, AZ. You will build, test, and put into service algorithms for image processing, object detection, and tracking on EO/IR space payloads.

Responsibilities

• Build, test, and tune algorithms for EO/IR sensor data, covering noise reduction, image enhancement, image registration, correction, and pattern recognition.
• Use pattern recognition to detect, classify, and track objects in EO/IR data for missions where accuracy is critical.
• Expand modeling and simulation libraries, including image simulators that generate synthetic EO/IR data for developing, testing, and validating algorithms.
• Maintain and improve deployed algorithms, troubleshoot fielded systems, and keep system performance and reliability on track.
• Roll out and test algorithm changes on deployed systems as mission needs arise.
• Write robust solutions to real mission problems in MATLAB, Python, and C/C++.
• Analyze large, complex EO/IR datasets to pull out features, find patterns, and measure algorithm performance.
• Build and document software tools for data collection, analysis, and performance measurement.
• Turn high-level customer requirements into algorithm and subsystem requirements that feed software and systems engineering.
• Document algorithm results and present them to technical and non-technical audiences, including government customers.
• Join technical interchange meetings and represent the team on project matters.
• Report status on assigned tasks and program schedules.
• Travel or work off site when needed.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in physics, optical sciences, computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering, or a related technical field, with proven experience in image processing or EO/IR systems.
• An active U.S. Government security clearance with TS/SCI eligibility.
• At least 12 years of professional experience.
• Proven experience using MATLAB, Python, and/or C/C++ for analysis, modeling, simulation, or algorithm development.
• Solid experience designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing EO/IR sensor algorithms, with a focus on image processing and pattern recognition.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including documenting technical work and presenting results to varied audiences.
• Ability to help complete programs and hit project milestones.
• Nice to have: a master's degree or PhD in physics, optical sciences, computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering, or a related technical field.
• Nice to have: experience with pattern recognition methods for EO/IR, including feature extraction, classification, and tracking.
• Nice to have: experience with radiometric, geometric, and temporal sensor calibration for EO/IR systems.
• Nice to have: expertise in modeling and simulation across multiple EO/IR phenomenologies.
• Nice to have: experience across the full product development cycle, including proposal design architecture, requirements generation, design development, integration, verification, and transition to production.
• Nice to have: experience managing or leading people in a technical or functional role within an engineering setting.

Conditions

The role may involve long periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

For US offices: under U.S. space technology export rules (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident (current Green Card holder), lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.

For New Zealand offices: background checks, including nationality checks, will be run before any offer is made, and you must be eligible to access ITAR-regulated equipment and data. You may be ineligible if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO member country, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.