Senior EO/IR Payload Integration & Test Engineer

Telemetry Today LLC; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Optical Systems seeks a Senior Integration & Test Engineer II in Tucson, AZ to lead integration, alignment, calibration, and verification of advanced EO/IR payloads for space missions. The role requires 8+ years in complex system integration and a US security clearance.

You will perform hands-on optical bench work, metrology, and environmental tests while collaborating across Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, and AIT teams to ensure mission success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
• 8+ 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-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

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Problem-solving

Education

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

Job description

Rocket Lab Optical Systems seeks a Senior Integration & Test Engineer II in Tucson, AZ to lead integration, alignment, calibration, and verification of advanced EO/IR payloads for space missions. The role requires 8+ years in complex system integration and a US security clearance.

You will perform hands-on optical bench work, metrology, and environmental tests while collaborating across Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, and AIT teams to ensure mission success.