Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us. SPACE SYSTEMS Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios. The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have built 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. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help get to space — our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions. PRINCIPAL INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains. As a Principal Integration & Test Engineer for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ, you will play a key role in integration, alignment, calibration, and verification of advanced EO/IR payloads that support national defense space missions. This role is hands-on and highly technical, involving optical bench setup, metrology, environmental test readiness, and performance validation. WHAT YOU’LL GET TO 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—we build beautiful things 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—we hustle and we do the impossible 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 YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS PRINCIPAL INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER: Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field 12+ years of experience 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 THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: 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 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. WHAT TO EXPECT We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way. Important information: FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here . Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days. FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY: For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.

Requirements

Must-haves

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—we build beautiful things
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—we hustle and we do the impossible
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
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS PRINCIPAL INTEGRATION & TEST ENGINEER:
Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field
12+ years of experience 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
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
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. WHAT TO EXPECT
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

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