Principal Systems Test Engineer

Rocket Lab • Tucson, AZ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more, with the goal of opening access to space. Their Electron rocket is a frequently launched U.S. rocket, and they are developing Neutron, a medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle. The Space Systems business designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components for various missions, including those for NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. The Optical Systems division, based in Tucson, AZ, solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. As a Principal Systems Test Engineer, you will design, integrate, validate, and sustain optical test equipment used to characterize, calibrate, and verify advanced optical payloads. This role involves building and maintaining optical test stations, alignment tools, and calibration workflows, supporting data capture, troubleshooting, and test execution, and working closely with Optics, Mechanical, Electrical, and AIT teams to ensure Special Test Equipment (STE) performance meets mission and system-level requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 12+ 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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• 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 tools 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees