Senior RF Digital Payload Engineer I Pipeline Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more. Our Electron rocket has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit. Our Space Systems business designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon, Mars, and Earth orbit.
The Role
Based onsite at our Long Beach, CA headquarters, you will develop new digital payload products including modems, processors, and network routers. You will take designs from initial concept through inflight operations, including board layout, bring-up, qualification, and production.
What You'll Do
Product Development
- Define and maintain requirements specifications
- Architect the digital product design
- Support the development process to ensure design decisions align with product capabilities
- Design and prototype digital products including component selection and PCB layout, fabrication, and packaging
- Support development of test plans and procedures
- Support design and development of GSE and production automation
- Support development of product documentation including ICDs and User Manuals
- Liaise with Test Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers to drive New Product Introduction
Customer and Program Support
- Review proposals and requirements specifications to assess compliance against existing capabilities
- Scope and drive development activities for new requirements
- Support engineering reviews such as PDRs, CDRs and TRRs
- Provide technical support to internal and external customers
- Maintain awareness of product development and production schedules
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or other engineering discipline
- 5+ years of experience in space electronics with technical expertise in high speed serial interfaces (SPI, PCIe, Ethernet), system on chips, microcontrollers, and digital signal processing
- Experience in developing and delivering a digital product including assessing requirements, prototyping engineering models, and producing space worthy products
- Detailed knowledge of digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms and communication theory
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
Preferred Qualifications
- Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance
- Deep experience in various modems and familiarity with latest modem components
- Extensive experience in space grade board design including parts selection and performance simulation for high-speed digital and mixed signal circuits
- Extensive experience in circuit analyses including timing analysis and physical constraints
- Extensive experience supporting and leading complex engineering programs and developing associated documentation
- Experience designing, integrating, and testing communications systems for launch vehicles or satellites
- Experience leading incident management and investigations
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
- Effective communication skills and ability to build strong working relationships
- Project management experience
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary range (CA): $130,000 to $170,000 USD. Salary determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Benefits include: medical HMO and PPO with 100% company-sponsored HSA option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave annually, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, 401(k) with company match, discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging, onsite gym, and food and drinks.