Senior AI&T Engineering IIPrincipal; Optical Secret Clearance

Position: Senior AI&T Engineering IIPrincipal (Optical) Secret Clearance

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services complete spacecraft design and manufacturing payloads satellite components and more all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally supporting scientific exploration Earth observation and missions to combat climate change national security and exciting new technology demonstrations.

SPACE

SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab were not just launching rockets were building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space like solar panels flight software star trackers optical systems separation systems radios and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has 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 its a single high-performance spacecraft constellation or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR

AI&T ENGINEERING II / PRINCIPAL (OPTICAL) - SECRET CLEARANCE

Rocket Labs Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) 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 Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

We are looking for a Senior AI&T Engineering II / Principal (Optical) - Secret Clearance based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson AZ. You will play a key role in the 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.

You will work cross-functionally with Mechanical Electrical and Systems Engineering teams to ensure precise optical performance through every integration and test phase.

WHAT YOULL 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

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS SENIOR ENGINEER II

• Bachelors degree in Optical Engineering Physics or related field
• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance
• 8 years 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

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

• Bachelors degree in Optical Engineering Physics or related field
• Active U.S. Government Security Clearance
• 12 years 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

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance…