Lead EO/IR Payload Integration & Test Engineer

Telemetry Today LLC; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division in Tucson, AZ seeks a Principal Integration & Test Engineer to lead integration, alignment, calibration, and verification of advanced EO/IR payloads for national defense space missions. This hands-on role requires 12+ years of experience, a Bachelor's in Optical Engineering or Physics, data analysis skills, and a U.S.

security clearance. You will work cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, and systems teams while ensuring mission requirements and

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in integration and test of complex systems.
• Strong data analysis, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• 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) and monitor optical performance to ensure mission requirements.
• Drive resolution of integration issues, test anomalies, and optical performance deviations.
• Collaborate with Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, and AIT teams for 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.

Skills

12+ years of experience in integration

Security clearance

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering or Physics

Job description

Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division in Tucson, AZ seeks a Principal Integration & Test Engineer to lead integration, alignment, calibration, and verification of advanced EO/IR payloads for national defense space missions. This hands-on role requires 12+ years of experience, a Bachelor's in Optical Engineering or Physics, data analysis skills, and a U.S.

security clearance. You will work cross-functionally with mechanical, electrical, and systems teams while ensuring mission requirements and