Principal Integration & Test Engineer

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.

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.

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.

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

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