Staff EO Signal Image Processing Engineer - 5

Description

The company is hiring a Staff EO Signal Image Processing Engineer to support its Launch Vehicles business unit 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.

The group designs, builds, verifies and implements image processing algorithms, high-fidelity simulation tools and physics-based models that support seeker development and flight test. It runs high-fidelity 6-DOF simulations, assesses seeker performance against algorithms and hardware, and builds and maintains the seeker test suite.

You will lead complex modeling and simulation work, mentor junior engineers, and work with engineers across disciplines and programs.

Relocation assistance may be available. Secret clearance is required before start. Travel is 10% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and development of advanced, high-fidelity seeker simulations and physics-based models, including closed-loop 6DOF, for system design, performance assessment and flight test readiness.
• Direct team members on complex modeling, simulation and algorithm work, making sure delivery meets critical program goals and high technical standards.
• Build advanced image and signal processing algorithms into simulation environments, run in-depth trade studies, and tune them for performance and robustness across operating scenarios.
• Apply expert EO/IR phenomenology and advanced 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, and guide requirements flow-down, test planning and verification strategy.
• Lead hardware-in-the-loop, lab and real-time testing, compare simulation and model predictions with test and flight data, drive root cause analysis, and update models as needed.
• Give technical leadership and mentoring to 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, high-impact 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 security clearance at the time of application, current and within scope.
• Broad and deep experience developing image and signal processing algorithms and simulating physical optics for EO/IR or seeker programs, ideally as technical staff or a 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 implementing 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 experience leading the technical direction of modeling and simulation work on 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 such as Scrum, Kanban or similar.
• Expertise in putting agile processes in place, scaling them and optimizing them 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 field.
• Preferred: Active U.S. Government DoD Top Secret security clearance at the time of application, current and within scope.
• Preferred: Experience as a technical or task lead for modeling and simulation on missile, hypersonic or other high-reliability systems, including familiarity with the standards that apply.
• Preferred: Current experience with DoD missile defense programs and their performance and verification frameworks, ideally in 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 processes, 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 digital workflow tools such as JIRA.

Conditions

The role is based in Chandler, Arizona.

Travel is 10% of the time.

Secret clearance is required for start.

Relocation assistance may be available.

The primary base salary range is $168,200.00 to $252,100.00. This is a general guide. Final base pay depends on factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the role, the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

The application period is estimated at 20 days from the posting date, but it may be shortened or extended based on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Benefits

• Depending on the position, you may be eligible for overtime, shift differential and a discretionary bonus on top of base pay.
• Annual bonuses reward individual contributions and let employees share in company results.
• Vice President and Director roles may be eligible for Long Term Incentives.
• Benefits include health insurance, life and disability insurance, a savings plan, paid company holidays, and paid time off (PTO) for vacation or personal business.