Posted today
Secret
Senior Level Career (10+ yrs experience)
Unspecified
25%
Aerospace and Aviation
Tucson, AZ (On-Site/Office)•Chantilly, VA (On-Site/Office)
SENIOR AI&T ENGINEER II - 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 Engineer II - Secret Clearance based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ. In this role, you will independently execute assembly, integration, and test activities for spaceflight hardware while maintaining regular technical touchpoints with senior engineers and leads. You are expected to be proficient with baseline AI&T processes, tooling, and documentation, and to bring growing technical breadth across mechanical, optical, and electrical interfaces. This role requires a strong work ethic, sound judgment, and the ability to proactively identify and resolve integration or test issues while supporting continuous improvement across AI&T workflows. You will report to an AI&T Engineering Lead.
WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:
Independently execute assembly, integration, alignment, and verification activities for spaceflight hardware and subsystems
Lead day-to-day integration and test tasks with minimal oversight while maintaining regular technical touchpoints with senior engineers and leads
Develop, execute, and refine AI&T procedures, test plans, and verification documentation in accordance with program requirements
Support and execute environmental testing (TVAC, vibration, shock), including test readiness, monitoring, and post-test assessments
Troubleshoot integration and test anomalies, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions; we hustle and do the impossible
Coordinate across Mechanical, Optical, Electrical, Systems, and Quality teams to ensure seamless hardware flow from build through verification
Contribute to continuous improvement of AI&T processes, tooling, and workflows; we are ever evolving
Mentor P1-level engineers and technicians through example, documentation quality, and execution discipline
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Optical, Electrical, Aerospace, Physics, or related discipline)
8+ years of hands-on experience in assembly, integration, and test of complex hardware systems
Proficiency with baseline AI&T processes, documentation standards, and test execution
Experience working with precision assemblies, test setups, and verification workflows
Strong troubleshooting, data analysis, and problem-solving skills
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
Exposure to optical systems, EO/IR payloads, or precision assemblies
Familiarity with lab equipment, test setups, or cleanroom environments
Experience supporting environmental testing or hardware verification activities
Demonstrated self-direction, ownership, and exceptional work ethic
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 occasional off-shift, weekend, or extended hours during critical build milestones
Travel as required for supplier visits, integration events, or customer engagements
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 Engineer II - Secret Clearance based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ. In this role, you will independently execute assembly, integration, and test activities for spaceflight hardware while maintaining regular technical touchpoints with senior engineers and leads. You are expected to be proficient with baseline AI&T processes, tooling, and documentation, and to bring growing technical breadth across mechanical, optical, and electrical interfaces. This role requires a strong work ethic, sound judgment, and the ability to proactively identify and resolve integration or test issues while supporting continuous improvement across AI&T workflows. You will report to an AI&T Engineering Lead.
WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:
Independently execute assembly, integration, alignment, and verification activities for spaceflight hardware and subsystems
Lead day-to-day integration and test tasks with minimal oversight while maintaining regular technical touchpoints with senior engineers and leads
Develop, execute, and refine AI&T procedures, test plans, and verification documentation in accordance with program requirements
Support and execute environmental testing (TVAC, vibration, shock), including test readiness, monitoring, and post-test assessments
Troubleshoot integration and test anomalies, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions; we hustle and do the impossible
Coordinate across Mechanical, Optical, Electrical, Systems, and Quality teams to ensure seamless hardware flow from build through verification
Contribute to continuous improvement of AI&T processes, tooling, and workflows; we are ever evolving
Mentor P1-level engineers and technicians through example, documentation quality, and execution discipline
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
Active U.S. Government Secret security clearance
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Optical, Electrical, Aerospace, Physics, or related discipline)
8+ years of hands-on experience in assembly, integration, and test of complex hardware systems
Proficiency with baseline AI&T processes, documentation standards, and test execution
Experience working with precision assemblies, test setups, and verification workflows
Strong troubleshooting, data analysis, and problem-solving skills
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
Exposure to optical systems, EO/IR payloads, or precision assemblies
Familiarity with lab equipment, test setups, or cleanroom environments
Experience supporting environmental testing or hardware verification activities
Demonstrated self-direction, ownership, and exceptional work ethic
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 occasional off-shift, weekend, or extended hours during critical build milestones
Travel as required for supplier visits, integration events, or customer engagements
group id: 91093496
