Senior EO/IR Payload Assembly & Test Lead

Rocket Lab Corporation; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ is seeking an Assembly, Integration & Test Technician to support integration of EO/IR space payloads. This role requires a high school diploma and 5+ years of hands-on optical integration experience, plus U.S.

citizenship with the ability to obtain a security clearance. You will work with cross-functional teams to ensure precise alignment, test readiness, and mission success.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in optical system integration, test, or verification.
• Ability to obtain and maintain U.S. 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead integration, alignment, calibration, and verification of EO/IR optical payloads in spaceborne sensors.
• Perform optical bench setup, alignment, metrology, and environmental test readiness.
• Develop and refine test procedures, optical characterization methods, and validation processes.
• Support environmental tests (TVAC, vibe, shock) and monitor optical performance.
• Resolve integration issues and test anomalies; address optical performance deviations.
• Collaborate with Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, and AIT teams for integrated systems.
• Support customer reviews, data packages, and technical briefings.
• Identify improvements to alignment methods, tooling, and data-analysis workflows.

Skills

High school diploma

5+ years experience

US citizenship with security clearance

Optical system integration/test/verif

Optical alignment/metrology/interfero

Cleanroom & environmental testing

Data analysis & troubleshooting

Tools

EO/IR payloads experience

Alignment procedures

Test scripts

Verification plans

ATE / Optical STE

Job description

Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ is seeking an Assembly, Integration & Test Technician to support integration of EO/IR space payloads. This role requires a high school diploma and 5+ years of hands-on optical integration experience, plus U.S.

citizenship with the ability to obtain a security clearance. You will work with cross-functional teams to ensure precise alignment, test readiness, and mission success.