Senior EO/IR Payload Integration & Test Engineer II

Rocket Lab Corporation; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Integration & Test Engineer II for its Optical Systems team in Tucson, AZ. The role focuses on integration, alignment, calibration, and verification of advanced EO/IR payloads supporting national defense space missions.

Join a hands‑on, highly technical environment performing optical bench work, metrology, and environmental testing while collaborating across Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, and AIT teams to deliver reliable spaceborne sensors.

Qualifications

• Requires a degree in optical engineering, physics or closely related field.
• 8+ years of hands‑on integration and test experience with 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.
• 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.
• 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 integration

Metrology

Interferometry

Imaging systems

Data analysis

Cleanroom practices

Environmental testing

Education

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

Tools

Optical benches

Test equipment

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Integration & Test Engineer II for its Optical Systems team in Tucson, AZ. The role focuses on integration, alignment, calibration, and verification of advanced EO/IR payloads supporting national defense space missions.

Join a hands‑on, highly technical environment performing optical bench work, metrology, and environmental testing while collaborating across Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, and AIT teams to deliver reliable spaceborne sensors.