Senior Special Test Equipment (STE) Engineer

Rocket Lab Corporation • Tucson, AZ

2d • 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 – 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 SPECIAL TEST EQUIPMENT (STE) ENGINEER 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 Special Test Equipment (STE) Engineer based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ. In this role, you will design, integrate, validate, and sustain optical test equipment used to characterize, calibrate, and verify advanced optical payloads. You will build and maintain optical test stations, alignment tools, and calibration workflows while supporting data capture, troubleshooting, and test execution. You will work closely with Optics, Mechanical, Electrical, and AIT teams to ensure STE performance meets mission and system-level requirement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• 5+ 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— we hustle
• 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: Mid Level