Principal Optical Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets spacecraft and critical subsystems that keep the world connected protected expand humanitys reach to the Moon Mars and beyond. We move fast build real hardware for meaningful missions and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

Rocket Labs Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels flight software star trackers optical systems separation systems and radios.

The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have 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 its a single high-performance spacecraft constellation or the vertically integrated components that help get to space our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER

Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community 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 Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Principal Optical Engineer for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson AZ you will play a key role in the modelling simulation prototyping and characterization of advanced EO/IR payloads in support of national defense space missions. You will simulate electro-optical phenomenology prototypes and you will be responsible for algorithm development radiometric analysis and a strong understanding of optical systems.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Guide/author data collection and analysis software
• Collaborate closely with firmware development electronics interface control and optical teams
• Use excellent investigative and trouble-shooting skills to assess issues and develop resolutions in the lab and in the field
• Communicate effectively with project management customers and team members across disciplines
• Attend technical interchange meetings with team members and other project personnel and represent the organization in matters pertaining to the development of projects
• Provide status on assigned tasks and program schedules
• Review documents and resolve technical engineering and integration issues
• Manage time and resources to meet assigned deadlines
• Develop detection and calibration algorithms for optical systems throughout their product lifecycle
• Simulate all parts of the electro-optical payloads: radiometric detector optical prescriptions
• Be a self-starter who takes initiatives identifies problems and presents solutions

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER:

• Bachelors degree in Optical Engineering Physics or related field
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• 12 years of experience in optical systems development performance modeling and data analysis
• Hands-on experience with optical alignment metrology interferometry and imaging-system characterization
• Hands-on expertise with electro-optical systems imaging systems light sources and/or military/space payloads
• Strong data analysis troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Working knowledge of MATLAB python Zemax (or similar software) FRED

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Masters degree in Optical Engineering Physics or related field. PhD preferred.
• Experience with EO/IR payloads infrared focal planes or space-based sensor systems
• Experience with stray light design and analysis for visible and infrared systems
• Experience writing alignment procedures test scripts and verification plans
• Experience with automated test equipment or optical STE
• Active TS/SCI U.S. Government Security Clearance

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting standing walking computer work and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise dust and fumes in production areas.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats not an easy task. It takes hard work determination relentless innovation teamwork grit and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each others backs checking our egos at the door and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure work to tight deadlines and our focus is always on how we can deliver rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder) or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia Japan New Zealand Switzerland the European Union or a country that is part of NATO or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations click here ITAR Regulations.