Rocket Lab · 3 weeks ago
Senior Special Test Equipment (STE) Engineer
Tucson, AZ
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expRocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services and spacecraft design. The Senior Special Test Equipment (STE) Engineer will design, integrate, validate, and sustain optical test equipment for advanced optical payloads, collaborating closely with various engineering teams to ensure performance meets mission requirements.
AerospaceManufacturingSoftwareSpace Travel
No H1B
Security Clearance RequiredU.S. Citizen Only
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
Qualification
Required
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
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing
Must be physically able to commute to buildings
Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise
Ability to support hands-on optical alignment and test activities, including occasional off-shift work
Some travel to support test facilities and partner sites
Preferred
Experience with Python, Matlab, or similar test automation tools
Familiarity with environmental test facilities and procedures
Knowledge of cleanroom practices and contamination control
Company
Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an aerospace company that provides launch services, spacecraft design, and manufacturing of satellite components.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$1.98BKey Investors
Canadian Space AgencyU.S. Department of CommerceTrinity Capital
2025-12-09Grant
2025-09-15Post Ipo Equity· $750M
2024-11-25Grant· $23.9M
Leadership Team
Adam Spice
Chief Financial Officer
Frank Klein
Chief Operations Officer
Recent News
2026-01-11
2026-01-09
Company data provided by crunchbase