Staff EO Signal Image Processing Engineer - 5

Description

The company's Space Systems unit is hiring a Staff EO Signal Image Processing Engineer for its Launch Vehicles group in Chandler, Arizona.

You will be a technical lead in the electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) modeling, algorithm and simulation group, which sits inside the Seeker Integrated Product Team and supports seeker development and flight test.

The group builds and maintains high-fidelity 6-DOF simulations, measures seeker performance against algorithms and hardware, and maintains the seeker test suite. You will lead complex modeling and simulation work, mentor junior engineers, and work with other disciplines and programs as a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and build-out of advanced, high-fidelity seeker simulations and physics-based models, including closed-loop 6DOF, for system design, performance assessment and flight test readiness.
• Set direction for engineers on complex modeling, simulation and algorithm work so delivery meets critical program goals and high technical standards.
• Design, build and integrate advanced image and signal processing algorithms into simulation environments, running detailed trade studies and tuning for performance and robustness across operating scenarios.
• Apply deep EO/IR phenomenology and physics to model seeker hardware, scene environments and flight conditions, including running scene generators such as MSLRAD or similar tools.
• Act as the main technical contact for GNC, systems, software, firmware and hardware teams, guiding requirements flow-down, test planning and verification strategy.
• Lead HWIL, lab and real-time testing, matching simulation and model predictions to test and flight data, driving root cause analysis and updating models as needed.
• Give broad technical leadership, mentor staff and junior engineers, and push continuous improvement in modeling standards, coding practices and configuration management.
• Represent the modeling and simulation team in internal and external technical reviews, presenting clear briefings and program updates.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, math or a related field from an accredited university, plus 12 years of related experience; or a Master's degree plus 10 years; or a PhD plus 8 years.
• Active U.S. Government DoD Secret clearance at the time you apply, current and within scope.
• Broad and deep background in image and signal processing algorithm development and physical optics simulation for EO/IR or seeker programs, ideally as technical staff or lead.
• Experience coordinating and leading teams that deliver models and algorithm solutions for EO/IR or seeker systems that meet program requirements and milestones.
• Extensive experience writing algorithms in C/C++ and in Python or MATLAB, preferably for high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
• Advanced knowledge of EO/IR imaging, radiometric transfer, scene generation, and building and validating physics-based models.
• Proven record directing modeling and simulation for complex, high-reliability systems, including mentoring and overseeing engineers.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results on complex technical problems, synthesize findings and present solutions to technical and program stakeholders.
• Proven experience leading technical direction for multiple engineering or complex project teams using agile methods (Scrum, Kanban or similar).
• Expertise in rolling out, scaling and optimizing agile processes across programs, with a strong preference for JIRA for portfolio, project and sprint management.
• Preferred: MS or PhD in optical engineering, electrical engineering, physics, math or a related discipline.
• Preferred: Active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret clearance at the time you apply, current and within scope.
• Preferred: Experience as technical or task lead for modeling and simulation on missile, hypersonic or other high-reliability systems, including familiarity with related standards.
• Preferred: Current work on DoD missile defense programs and their performance and verification frameworks, ideally on hypersonic applications.
• Preferred: Familiarity with hardware and software integration and with modeling physics-based or real-time systems, including HWIL environments.
• Preferred: Proficiency in C/C++ development and Linux, MATLAB and Python analysis and prototyping toolchains, software change and configuration management tools, and real-time programming practices.
• Preferred: Expert proficiency with scene generators such as MSLRAD or similar EO/IR scene generation tools.
• Preferred: Demonstrated experience restructuring algorithms for better HPC performance, such as vectorization, parallelization or distributed computing.
• Preferred: Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor and influence individual contributors and engineering leaders on agile execution, backlog prioritization and iterative delivery.
• Preferred: Track record of driving organizational change, continuous improvement and cross-team collaboration through agile practices and tools such as JIRA.

Conditions

Relocation assistance may be available.

A Secret clearance is required to start.

Travel is 10% of the time.

Work location is Chandler, Arizona.

Base salary range is $168,200.00 to $252,100.00, a general guideline set by factors such as scope, responsibilities, experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

The application period is estimated at 20 days from the posting date and may be shortened or extended based on business needs and candidate availability.

Benefits

• Depending on the position, you may be eligible for overtime, a shift differential and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.
• Annual bonuses reward individual contribution and let employees share in company results.
• Vice President and Director roles may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.
• Health insurance, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, company-paid holidays, and paid time off for vacation or personal business.