Principal Machine Learning Engineer (EO/IR Image Analysis)

Rocket Lab Corporation is hiring a Principal Machine Learning Engineer for its Optical Systems work in Chantilly, VA. In this role, you will help support Tranche 3 of SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture by developing deep learning neural networks for advanced EO/IR image processing. The position focuses on designing, training, deploying, and maintaining machine learning capabilities and pipelines for optical systems applications.

What You’ll Do

• Contribute experience toward solutions addressing real-world engineering problems.
• Design, train, and deploy machine learning models for Optical Systems applications.
• Build and maintain ML pipelines spanning data ingestion, feature engineering, training, and inference.
• Collaborate with other researchers and engineers across artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision.
• Perform rapid prototyping and enhanced development aimed at integration into operational systems.
• Handle troubleshooting, bug fixes, and maintenance for both existing and newly developed systems.
• Stay current with ML research and evaluate new tools, frameworks, and techniques.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree plus 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.
• Strong machine learning background across model selection, architecture, training, validation, testing, and deployment.
• Experience building deep learning neural networks for computer vision, image processing, or video analysis, such as object detection, image segmentation, and tracking.
• Strong mathematics background, particularly linear algebra.
• Proficiency in Python.
• Hands-on experience with deep learning libraries including Keras, TensorFlow, and PyTorch.
• Solid software engineering fundamentals, including version control, testing, CI/CD, and containerization.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance.

Technology Focus

• Python
• Keras
• TensorFlow
• PyTorch

Additional Considerations

• Proficiency in C/C++/Rust.
• Experience curating quality, real-world datasets for training deep learning models.
• TS/SCI security clearance.

Location: Chantilly, VA (onsite)
Salary: USD 198,900 - 318,200 per year
Experience level: 12+ years