Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – with the goal of opening access space. The Space Systems team designs and builds spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

SENIOR MACHINE LEARNING ENGINEER I

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for DoD and IC customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Based at our Optical Systems site in Chantilly, VA, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers on high-impact ML, AI, and computer vision projects, joining a driven team tackling challenging projects and delivering on the future of space.

• Collaborate with researchers on projects related to machine learning, artificial intelligence, and computer vision
• Perform rapid prototyping and enhanced development to be integrated into operational systems
• Contribute strong programming ability and experience to develop robust solutions for real-world problems
• Validate, optimize, and deploy advanced exploitation algorithms
• Perform troubleshooting, bug fixes, and maintenance of existing and new code to ensure stability and robustness
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Ability to support travel or off-site work, as needed

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical or computer engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, or other field
• 5+ years of software experience
• Active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance
• Proficiency in Python
• Experience with deep learning libraries (PyTorch, Tensor Flow, etc.)
• Strong background in both classical and modern (deep learning) ML including model selection, architecture, training, validation, testing, and deployment
• Understanding of tasks such as Object Detection, Segmentation, Re-Identification, Tracking, Super Resolution
• Ability to apply modern AI approaches to solve real-world problems

• ML experience with imagery or 3-D data
• Master’s degree or PhD in relevant field
• Classical ML methods
• Experience with AWS, Docker, Agile development
• Experience curating quality real-world datasets for training DL models
• Proficiency in C++, MATLAB

• Vision abilities including close, distance, peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus
• Regularly sit, use hands and fingers, operate keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing
• Ability to commute to Rocket Lab facilities
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate noise

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, requiring hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and a commitment to delivering results under pressure.

EEO STATEMENT:
Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. This job description may contain information that is sensitive for ITAR/regulatory reasons; some content may be limited to certain applicants depending on citizenship or eligibility requirements.