Senior EO/IR Optical Manufacturing Engineer

Rocket Lab USA; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Assembly, Integration & Test in Tucson, AZ leads manufacturing activities for EO/IR optical payloads and guides integration and testing for space systems. The role emphasizes hands-on optical bench work, metrology, and environmental testing to meet mission requirements.

You will collaborate with Mechanical, Electrical, and Systems teams to optimize alignment methods, data-analysis workflows, and test procedures, while ensuring quality and readiness for space

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience integration, test, and manufacturing of complex systems.
• S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• 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.
• Understanding of electromechanical assembly, tooling, test, and quality techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing 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

Skills

Optical alignment

Metrology

Interferometry

Imaging-system characterization

Cleanroom practices

Environmental testing

Data analysis

Electromechanical assembly

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or related field

Tools

Optical benches

Electrical test equipment

Costpoint/MRP systems

Job description

Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Assembly, Integration & Test in Tucson, AZ leads manufacturing activities for EO/IR optical payloads and guides integration and testing for space systems. The role emphasizes hands-on optical bench work, metrology, and environmental testing to meet mission requirements.

You will collaborate with Mechanical, Electrical, and Systems teams to optimize alignment methods, data-analysis workflows, and test procedures, while ensuring quality and readiness for space