Senior Special Test Equipment; STE Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

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.

As a Senior Special Test Equipment (STE) Engineer based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will design, integrate, validate, and sustain optical test equipment used to characterize, calibrate, and verify advanced optical payloads. You will build and maintain optical test stations, alignment tools, and calibration workflows while supporting data capture, troubleshooting, and test execution. You will work closely with Optics, Mechanical, Electrical, and AIT teams to ensure STE performance meets mission and system‑level requirements.

Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

• Design, develop, integrate, and validate optical Special Test Equipment (STE) used for payload characterization, calibration, and alignment.
• Build and maintain optical test stations, fixtures, alignment tools, and automation setups that help us build beautiful things by testing beautiful things.
• Execute hands‑on optical integration tasks: bench setup, alignment, calibration, data capture, and troubleshooting.
• Write and maintain optical test procedures, calibration scripts, and acceptance criteria.
• Support anomaly resolution, corrective actions, and performance improvements.
• Improve STE throughput, accuracy, and maintainability, ensuring test processes stay ever evolving.
• Collaborate with Optics, Mechanical, Electrical, and AIT teams to ensure STE meets system‑level requirements.
• Support environmental testing and correlation of optical performance before/after test campaigns.

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years’ experience building or supporting optical or electro‑optical test setups.
• Hands‑on experience with optical alignment, metrology tools, and lab‑level integration.
• Ability to develop clear technical documentation and test procedures.
• Strong troubleshooting, data analysis, and lab execution skills.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

• Experience with Python, MATLAB, or similar test automation tools.
• Familiarity with environmental test facilities and procedures.
• Knowledge of cleanroom practices and contamination control.

• 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 a 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 optical alignment and test activities, including occasional off‑shift work.
• Some travel to support test facilities and partner sites.

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination,…