Senior EO/IR Payload Integration Lead

Rocket Lab Corporation; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab seeks a Principal Integration & Test Engineer for its Optical Systems team in Tucson, AZ. You will lead integration, alignment, calibration, and verification of advanced EO/IR payloads used in spaceborne sensor systems.

You will oversee hands-on optical bench work, metrology, and environmental test readiness, developing procedures and validating performance. A minimum 12+ years in optical system integration is required with U.S. citizenship and clearance eligibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 12+ years of experience integration and test of complex systems
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• Experience in optical system integration, test, or verification
• Hands-on 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 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-functional 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

Hands-on engineering

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Problem-solving

Optical integration

Cleanroom practices

Education

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

Tools

Optical bench setups

Metrology equipment

Environmental test equipment

Job description

Rocket Lab seeks a Principal Integration & Test Engineer for its Optical Systems team in Tucson, AZ. You will lead integration, alignment, calibration, and verification of advanced EO/IR payloads used in spaceborne sensor systems.

You will oversee hands-on optical bench work, metrology, and environmental test readiness, developing procedures and validating performance. A minimum 12+ years in optical system integration is required with U.S. citizenship and clearance eligibility.