Senior Integration and Test Engineer II Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine.
About the Role
As a Senior Integration and Test Engineer II for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ, you will lead integration, alignment, calibration, and verification of advanced EO/IR payloads that support national defense space missions. This is a hands-on, highly technical role involving optical bench setup, metrology, environmental test readiness, and performance validation.
What You'll Do
- Lead integration, alignment, calibration, and verification activities for advanced EO/IR optical payloads used in spaceborne sensor systems
- Execute hands-on optical integration tasks including optical bench setup, alignment, metrology, and environmental test readiness
- Develop and refine test procedures, optical characterization methods, and performance-validation processes
- Support environmental tests (TVAC, vibe, shock), monitor optical performance, and ensure compliance with mission requirements
- Drive resolution of integration issues, test anomalies, and optical performance deviations
- Work cross-functionally with Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, and AIT teams to ensure seamless optical-mechanical-electrical integration
- Support customer reviews, data packages, and technical briefings
- Identify opportunities to improve alignment methods, test tooling, and data-analysis workflows
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field
- 8 or more years of experience in integration and test of complex systems
- U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
- Experience in optical system integration, test, or verification
- Hands-on experience with optical alignment, metrology, interferometry, and imaging-system characterization
- Familiarity with optical benches, cleanroom practices, contamination control, and environmental testing
- Strong data analysis, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with EO/IR payloads, infrared focal planes, or space-based sensor systems
- Experience writing alignment procedures, test scripts, and verification plans
- Experience with automated test equipment or optical STE
- Active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance
Additional Information
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), lawfully admitted refugee or asylee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or Department of Commerce.