Senior AI&T Engineering II - Secret Clearance

Rocket Lab Corporation • Chantilly, VA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

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 Chantilly, VA. 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees