Senior Optical Manufacturing Engineer (Payloads)

Telemetry Today LLC; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Tucson, AZ seeks a Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Assembly, Integration & Test to lead manufacturing activities for EO/IR optical payloads, including alignment, metrology, and environmental test readiness. You will work with cross-functional teams to ensure mission requirements are met and performance deviations are resolved.

The role focuses on optical benches, cleanroom practices, and robust test procedures, with opportunities to contribute to ship-ready systems for space

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in integration, test, and manufacturing of complex systems.
• U.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.
• Develop and refine test procedures, optical characterization methods, and performance-validation processes.
• Support environmental tests (TVAC, vibe, shock) and ensure mission requirements compliance.
• Drive resolution of integration issues, test anomalies, and optical performance deviations.
• Work cross-functionally with Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, and AIT teams for integrated systems.
• 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 systems

Cleanroom practices

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Electromechanical assembly

Test engineering

Environmental testing

Education

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

Tools

Costpoint

Electrical test equipment

Job description

Rocket Lab in Tucson, AZ seeks a Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Assembly, Integration & Test to lead manufacturing activities for EO/IR optical payloads, including alignment, metrology, and environmental test readiness. You will work with cross-functional teams to ensure mission requirements are met and performance deviations are resolved.

The role focuses on optical benches, cleanroom practices, and robust test procedures, with opportunities to contribute to ship-ready systems for space