Principal Machine Learning Engineer (EO/IR Image Analysis)

Description

The company's Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft and the parts that let them work in orbit, including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.

The division has supported more than 1,700 missions, from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense work. Its projects include missions to the Moon and Mars, with partners such as NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

The Optical Systems group works on space domain awareness and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance problems for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. It draws on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems work and supplies responsive, scalable sensing across all orbital domains, with payload designs for space, ground, and airborne use.

This role is a Principal Machine Learning Engineer position in Long Beach, CA. You will help deliver Tranche 3 of the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture and later programs by building deep learning neural networks for electro-optical and infrared image processing.

The team moves quickly, works to tight deadlines, and focuses on delivering results.

Responsibilities

• Build computer vision algorithms and deep neural networks for image and video processing pipelines.
• Design, train, and deploy machine learning models for optical systems.
• Use physics-based image simulation frameworks to expand training and validation data.
• Prototype rapidly and refine code so it can move into operational systems.
• Troubleshoot, fix bugs in, and maintain both existing and new systems.
• Work alongside researchers and engineers in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision.
• Track machine learning research and assess new tools, frameworks, and techniques.

Requirements

• Hold a bachelor's degree with 12+ years of experience, or a master's degree or Ph.D. in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or a related field.
• Have a solid grounding in mathematics and machine learning fundamentals, covering model selection, architecture, training, validation, testing, and deployment.
• Have built deep neural networks such as CNNs for computer vision, image processing, or image analysis tasks like object detection, segmentation, and tracking.
• Have a strong background in linear algebra and optimization theory.
• Be proficient in Python, C, C++, or Rust.
• Have experience with deep learning libraries such as Keras, TensorFlow, or PyTorch.
• Know software engineering practice: version control, testing, CI/CD, and containerization.
• Have experience curating high-quality, real-world datasets for training deep learning models.
• Hold a TS/SCI security clearance.
• Be a U.S. citizen, as required by program rules.
• Be able to obtain and keep a U.S. Government security clearance.

Conditions

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

Base salary ranges from $153,000 to $204,000 USD. Total compensation, including equity, ranges from $198,900 to $318,200 USD.

Level and base pay are set case by case, based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

For US offices, the role must comply with ITAR. Employees must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful U.S. permanent resident, a lawfully admitted refugee or asylee, 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, are completed before any offer. You must be eligible to access ITAR-regulated equipment and data. You may be ineligible if you are not a citizen of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO member country, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.

Benefits

• Competitive base pay plus company stock as part of total compensation, giving you a direct stake in the company's success.
• Anticipated annual equity grant value depends on function, level, experience, and other factors. Realized value depends on vesting and stock price performance.
• An employee stock purchase plan with a 15% discount on company stock.
• Medical plans including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP with a significant company contribution to an HSA.
• Dental and vision coverage.
• Paid vacation, paid sick time, and 11 paid holidays.
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
• Paid parental leave.
• Disability and life insurance.
• A 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Subsidized EV charging.
• Onsite fitness centers where available, plus discounted gym memberships.
• Complimentary snacks and beverages.
• A 50% employee discount on the company merchandise store, plus a range of other employee discounts.