Posted today
Secret
Mid Level Career (5+ yrs experience)
Unspecified
25%
Engineering - Mechanical
Tucson, AZ (On-Site/Office)
SENIOR AI&T ENGINEERING II/PRINCIPAL (MECHANICAL) - 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 (Mechanical) - Secret Clearance based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ. You will lead mechanical integration and test activities for high-reliability payload assemblies and flight hardware. This includes hands-on build tasks, precision alignment, fit checks, environmental test preparation, and mechanical verification across multiple test stages. You will collaborate with Optics, Electrical, Systems, and AIT teams to ensure structurally and thermally compliant integrations while supporting continuous improvement in mechanical processes and test methods.
(Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Engineer II or Principal level)
WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:
Lead mechanical integration and verification of high-reliability payload assemblies, subassemblies, and flight hardware
Execute mechanical build tasks, precision alignments, torque/tolerance verification, and hardware fit checks
Coordinate environmental testing (vibration, shock, TVAC) and assess mechanical performance throughout test campaigns
Identify mechanical integration risks, develop mitigation plans, and drive rapid issue resolution—we hustle
Work closely with Optics, Electrical, Systems, and AIT teams to ensure structurally and thermally compliant integrations—we have each other's back
Refine mechanical procedures, integration tooling, and test setups to increase efficiency and hardware consistency
Support readiness reviews, data packages, configuration audits, and delivery milestones
Drive continuous improvements in build processes, mechanical verification approaches, and interface control
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR ENGINEER II:
Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering; advanced degree preferred
8+ years hands-on experience integrating and testing mechanical hardware for space or high-reliability systems
Strong experience with CAD tools (SolidWorks) for interface interpretation and integration planning
Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerancing, precision mechanical alignment, and hardware inspection
Experience with environmental test preparation and post-test mechanical inspection
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS PRINCIPAL ENGINEER:
Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering; advanced degree preferred
12+ years hands-on experience integrating and testing mechanical hardware for space or high-reliability systems
Strong experience with CAD tools (SolidWorks) for interface interpretation and integration planning
Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerancing, precision mechanical alignment, and hardware inspection
Experience with environmental test preparation and post-test mechanical inspection
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
Experience integrating EO/IR payloads or opto-mechanical assemblies
Familiarity with contamination control, materials compatibility, adhesives, and fastener systems
Experience developing mechanical integration procedures or test plans
Prior experience supporting hardware qualification or acceptance testing
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 regularly perform hands-on hardware integration in lab/cleanroom environments
Ability to support extended or off-shift work during key test milestones
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 (Mechanical) - Secret Clearance based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ. You will lead mechanical integration and test activities for high-reliability payload assemblies and flight hardware. This includes hands-on build tasks, precision alignment, fit checks, environmental test preparation, and mechanical verification across multiple test stages. You will collaborate with Optics, Electrical, Systems, and AIT teams to ensure structurally and thermally compliant integrations while supporting continuous improvement in mechanical processes and test methods.
(Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Engineer II or Principal level)
WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:
Lead mechanical integration and verification of high-reliability payload assemblies, subassemblies, and flight hardware
Execute mechanical build tasks, precision alignments, torque/tolerance verification, and hardware fit checks
Coordinate environmental testing (vibration, shock, TVAC) and assess mechanical performance throughout test campaigns
Identify mechanical integration risks, develop mitigation plans, and drive rapid issue resolution—we hustle
Work closely with Optics, Electrical, Systems, and AIT teams to ensure structurally and thermally compliant integrations—we have each other's back
Refine mechanical procedures, integration tooling, and test setups to increase efficiency and hardware consistency
Support readiness reviews, data packages, configuration audits, and delivery milestones
Drive continuous improvements in build processes, mechanical verification approaches, and interface control
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR ENGINEER II:
Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering; advanced degree preferred
8+ years hands-on experience integrating and testing mechanical hardware for space or high-reliability systems
Strong experience with CAD tools (SolidWorks) for interface interpretation and integration planning
Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerancing, precision mechanical alignment, and hardware inspection
Experience with environmental test preparation and post-test mechanical inspection
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS PRINCIPAL ENGINEER:
Active U.S. Government Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering; advanced degree preferred
12+ years hands-on experience integrating and testing mechanical hardware for space or high-reliability systems
Strong experience with CAD tools (SolidWorks) for interface interpretation and integration planning
Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerancing, precision mechanical alignment, and hardware inspection
Experience with environmental test preparation and post-test mechanical inspection
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
Experience integrating EO/IR payloads or opto-mechanical assemblies
Familiarity with contamination control, materials compatibility, adhesives, and fastener systems
Experience developing mechanical integration procedures or test plans
Prior experience supporting hardware qualification or acceptance testing
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 regularly perform hands-on hardware integration in lab/cleanroom environments
Ability to support extended or off-shift work during key test milestones
group id: 91093496
