Principal Optical Engineer

InvestedintheMission; 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

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 to 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. Our Electron rocket is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds an extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Principal Optical Engineer

Rocket Lab’s 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. As a Principal Optical Engineer based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will play a key role in the modelling, simulation, prototyping, and characterization of advanced EO/IR payloads that support national defense space missions.

Responsibilities

• Guide or author data collection and analysis software.
• Collaborate closely with firmware development, electronics interface control, and optical teams.
• Use investigative and troubleshooting skills to assess issues and develop lab and field resolutions.
• Communicate effectively 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• 12+ years of experience in optical systems development, performance modeling, and data analysis.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field (PhD preferred).
• Experience with EO/IR payloads, infrared focal planes, or space‑based sensor systems.
• Experience with stray light design and analysis for visible and infrared 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.

Important Information

For candidates seeking to work in U.S. 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, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. For more information about ITAR, see the regulations.

For candidates seeking to work in New Zealand offices only: Background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers. These checks include nationality checks because you must be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by ITAR. Eligible candidates must be a citizen of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO member country; dual citizenships or ineligible nationalities are disallowed.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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, promotion, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This resource assists job seekers with disabilities preventing them from applying or interviewing. Contact messages will be considered, and a response may take up to two business days.