Senior AI&T Engineering II/Principal

SENIOR AI&T ENGINEERING II/PRINCIPAL (OPTICAL) - SECRET CLEARANCE Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains. We are looking for a Senior AI&T Engineering II/Principal (Optical) - Secret Clearance based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ. You will play a key role in the integration, alignment, calibration, and verification of advanced EO/IR payloads that support national defense space missions. This role is hands-on and highly technical, involving optical bench setup, metrology, environmental test readiness, and performance validation. You will work cross-functionally with Mechanical, Electrical, and Systems Engineering teams to ensure precise optical performance through every integration and test phase. WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO: Lead integration, alignment, calibration, and verification activities for advanced EO/IR optical payloads used in spaceborne sensor systemsExecute hands-on optical integration tasks including optical bench setup, alignment, metrology, and environmental test readiness—we build beautiful thingsDevelop and refine test procedures, optical characterization methods, and performance-validation processesSupport environmental tests (TVAC, vibe, shock), monitor optical performance, and ensure compliance with mission requirementsDrive resolution of integration issues, test anomalies, and optical performance deviations—we hustle and we do the impossibleWork cross-functionally with Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, and AIT teams to ensure seamless optical-mechanical-electrical integrationSupport customer reviews, data packages, and technical briefingsIdentify opportunities to improve alignment methods, test tooling, and data-analysis workflows YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS SENIOR ENGINEER II: Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fieldActive U.S. Government Security Clearance8+ years experience in optical system integration, test, or verificationHands-on experience with optical alignment, metrology, interferometry, and imaging-system characterizationFamiliarity with optical benches, cleanroom practices, contamination control, and environmental testingStrong data analysis, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS PRINCIPAL ENGINEER: Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fieldActive U.S. Government Security Clearance12+ years experience in optical system integration, test, or verification Hands-on experience with optical alignment, metrology, interferometry, and imaging-system characterizationFamiliarity with optical benches, cleanroom practices, contamination control, and environmental testingStrong data analysis, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: Experience with EO/IR payloads, infrared focal planes, or space-based sensor systemsExperience writing alignment procedures, test scripts, and verification plansExperience with automated test equipment or optical STEActive TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focusRegularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writingMust be physically able to commute to buildingsOccasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noiseAbility to support hands-on alignment and test activities, including off-shift operations during critical phasesSome travel to test facilities and partner integration sites