Senior AI&T Engineering II​/Principal; Optical Secret Clearance Security Clearance

Position: Senior AI&T Engineering II/Principal (Optical) Secret Clearance with Security Clearance
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 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 YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS SENIOR ENGINEER II:
Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field
Active U.S. Government Security Clearance
8+ years 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 YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS PRINCIPAL ENGINEER:
Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field
Active U.S. Government Security Clearance
12+ years 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 THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

Experience with EO/IR payloads, infrared focal planes, or space-based sensor systems
Experience writing alignment procedures, test scripts, and verification plans

Experience with automated test equipment or optical STE
Active 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 focus
Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing
Must be physically able to commute to buildings
Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise
Ability to support hands-on alignment and test activities, including off-shift operations during critical phases
Some travel to test facilities and partner integration sites