Software Engineer

Job Title: Senior EO/IR Algorithm Engineer Job Description
This role focuses on developing, validating, and optimizing advanced algorithms for electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensor data that support mission-critical space-based sensing and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) applications. You will work across the full lifecycle of EO/IR payload missions, from concept and modeling through deployment and ongoing optimization of fielded systems. This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to cutting-edge space and defense programs while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams in optics, software, systems engineering, payload development, and mission operations.
Responsibilities
- Develop, validate, and optimize algorithms for EO/IR sensor data, including noise reduction, image enhancement, image registration, correction, and pattern recognition.
- Apply pattern recognition techniques to detect, classify, and track objects in EO/IR data for mission-critical applications.
- Build and enhance modeling and simulation libraries, including developing and using image simulators to generate synthetic EO/IR data for algorithm development, testing, and validation.
- Support and enhance existing operational programs by maintaining and improving deployed algorithms, troubleshooting fielded systems, and ensuring ongoing system performance and reliability.
- Implement and test algorithm improvements in deployed systems to support evolving mission needs.
- Apply strong programming skills in MATLAB, Python, and C/C++ to develop robust solutions for real-world mission problems.
- Analyze large and complex EO/IR datasets to extract features, identify patterns, and assess algorithm performance.
- Develop and document software tools for data collection, analysis, and performance assessment.
- Translate high-level customer requirements into algorithm and subsystem requirements to guide software and systems engineering activities.
- Document algorithm design approaches and performance results, and present findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including government audiences.
- Participate in technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in discussions related to project development and technical decisions.
- Provide regular status updates on assigned tasks, progress, and program schedules.
- Support travel or off-site work as needed to collaborate with partners, customers, or fielded system teams.
Essential Skills
- At least 8 years of professional experience in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline.
- Active U.S. Government security clearance with TS/SCI eligibility.
- Bachelor's degree in physics, optical sciences, computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline with demonstrated experience in image processing or EO/IR systems.
- Strong professional experience designing, implementing, testing, and optimizing algorithms for EO/IR sensors, with emphasis on image processing and pattern recognition.
- Proficiency in Python (approximately 8/10) for analysis, modeling, simulation, and algorithm development.
- Proficiency in C/C++ (approximately 7/10) for high-performance algorithm implementation and software development.
- Proficiency in MATLAB (approximately 6/10) for analysis, modeling, simulation, or algorithm development.
- Hands-on experience with algorithm development for EO/IR data, including feature extraction, classification, and tracking.
- Experience working with large and complex datasets, including performance assessment and validation of algorithms.
- Ability to translate high-level mission or customer requirements into detailed algorithm and subsystem requirements.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to document work clearly and present technical material to diverse audiences.
- Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary engineering environment and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced program setting.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Master's degree or PhD in physics, optical sciences, computer science, mathematics, electrical engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience with pattern recognition methods for EO/IR applications, including advanced feature extraction, classification, and tracking techniques.
- Experience with sensor calibration procedures for EO/IR systems, including radiometric, geometric, and temporal calibration.
- Expertise in modeling and simulation involving multiple EO/IR phenomenologies and mission scenarios.
- Experience across all phases of product development, including proposal support, architecture design, requirements generation, detailed design, integration, verification, and transition to production.
- Experience managing or leading others in a technical and/or functional capacity within an engineering environment.
- Background in product development for space-based EO/IR sensing and ISR technologies.
- Experience supporting Department of Defense or Intelligence Community missions or similar national security programs.
- Familiarity with mission operations for space-based systems and EO/IR payloads.
Work Environment
This role is fully onsite, with a standard schedule of five days per week. Typical working hours are either 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., providing some flexibility within core daytime hours. You will work in a collaborative engineering environment alongside experts in optics, software, systems engineering, payload development, and mission operations. The work centers on advanced space-based EO/IR sensing and ISR technologies, including spacecraft, optical payloads, image-processing algorithms, and next-generation sensing systems. Engineers see their work progress from concept through deployment and ongoing operations, with clear visibility into the impact of their contributions on real-world missions. The environment emphasizes innovation, technical excellence, and close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams supporting national security and broader space initiatives.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tucson, AZ.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $80.00 - $100.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tucson, AZ.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 29, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Tucson,AZ. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

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sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
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San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

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Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
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