Senior AI&T Engineering II - Secret Clearance
About The Position
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. Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. SPACE SYSTEMS At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets, we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space, our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions. 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.
Requirements
- 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
Nice To Haves
- 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
Responsibilities
- 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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
