Lead Optical Engineer, EO/IR Payloads

Segment (Twilio); Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division in Tucson, AZ seeks a Principal Optical Engineer to lead modeling, simulation, prototyping, and characterization of advanced EO/IR payloads for national defense space missions.

You will collaborate with firmware, electronics, and optical teams, guide data analysis, and develop calibration algorithms. Eligibility for security clearance is required; U.S. citizenship is necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 12+ years of experience in optical systems development, performance modeling, and data analysis.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Hands-on experience with optical alignment, metrology, interferometry, and imaging-system characterization.
• Hands-on expertise with electro-optical systems, imaging systems, light sources, and/or military/space payloads.
• Strong data analysis, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of MATLAB, Python, Zemax (or similar software), and FRED.

Responsibilities

• Guide or author data collection and analysis software.
• Collaborate with firmware development, electronics interface control, and optical teams.
• Use investigative skills to assess issues and develop lab and field resolutions.
• Communicate with project management, customers, and team members across disciplines.
• Attend technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in project discussions.
• Provide status on assigned tasks and program schedules.
• Review documents and resolve technical engineering and integration issues.
• Manage time and resources to meet deadlines.
• Develop detection and calibration algorithms for optical systems throughout their lifecycle.
• Simulate all parts of electro‑optical payloads: radiometric, detector, and optical prescriptions.
• Be a self‑starter who takes initiatives, identifies problems, and presents solutions.

Skills

Optical alignment

Metrology

Interferometry

Imaging-system characterization

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Systems engineering

Laboratory debugging

Electro-optical systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field

Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field (PhD preferred)

Tools

Zemax

FRED

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division in Tucson, AZ seeks a Principal Optical Engineer to lead modeling, simulation, prototyping, and characterization of advanced EO/IR payloads for national defense space missions.

You will collaborate with firmware, electronics, and optical teams, guide data analysis, and develop calibration algorithms. Eligibility for security clearance is required; U.S. citizenship is necessary.