Senior Manufacturing Engineer INew

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine.

What you'll do

• Lead manufacturing activities for advanced EO/IR optical payloads used in spaceborne sensor systems

• Execute hands-on optical integration tasks including optical bench setup,: alignment, metrology, and environmental test readiness—we build beautiful things

• Develop and refine test procedures, optical characterization methods, and performance-validation processes

• Support environmental tests (TVAC, vibe, shock), monitor optical performance,: and ensure compliance with mission requirements

• Drive resolution of integration issues, test anomalies, and optical: performance deviations—we hustle and we do the impossible

• Work cross-functionally with Mechanical, Electrical, Systems, and AIT teams: to ensure seamless optical-mechanical-electrical integration

What they're looking for

• Support customer reviews, data packages, and technical briefings
• Identify opportunities to improve alignment methods, test tooling, and data-analysis workflows
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or related field
• + years of experience integration, test, and manufacturing of complex systems