Senior RF Phased Array Engineer I Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, and satellite components. The Electron rocket has launched over 230 satellites to orbit. The company is developing Neutron, a medium-lift reusable launch vehicle. Space Systems designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, and components for the James Webb Space Telescope.
The Role
Based in Long Beach, CA, you will be the technical lead responsible for developing new RF products and systems, including phased arrays, and assessing commercial off-the-shelf components. You will model and simulate antenna performance for current programs and proposals, and work with a strong understanding of antennas at component and system level in a fast-paced environment.
What You'll Do
Product Development
- Lead end-to-end efforts including architecture design, prototyping, integration, test, and flight development
- Ensure key design decisions align with product and system needs
- Model and simulate array performance
- Lead efforts alongside RF, digital, power, mechanical, thermal, and structural engineers
- Transition developments from new product introduction to production
- Interface with vendors and customers
- Develop test plans and procedures for active antennas, including EIRP and G/T
- Design and develop ground support equipment and production automation
- Support product documentation including ICDs and user manuals
Customer and Program Support
- Drive proposals and requirements specifications to assess compliance
- 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, RF communications, or equivalent
- 5 or more years of relevant experience
- Fundamental RF knowledge including link budget analysis and linearity
- Solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF communications and navigation systems and components
- Experience modeling and simulating antenna and phased array performance
- Deep understanding of interference effects on systems
- Experience developing and delivering RF systems: requirements assessment, prototyping engineering models, and producing space-worthy products
Preferred Qualifications
- Extensive space-grade system design experience
- Extensive experience in worst case, reliability, FMECA, thermal, and derating analyses
- Experience supporting and leading complex engineering programs and documentation
- Experience designing, integrating, and testing RF communications systems for launch vehicles or satellites
- Demonstrated mentoring expertise
- Experience leading incident management and investigations
- Conflict resolution and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines
- Project management experience
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary range (California): $130,000 to $170,000 USD, determined based on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.
Benefits include medical HMO, PPO, and 100% company-sponsored HSA plan option; dental and vision coverage; 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave annually; 11 paid holidays; flexible spending and dependent care accounts; paid parental leave; disability and life insurance; 401(k) with company match; discounted stock purchase program; subsidized EV charging; onsite gym; and other perks.
Work Environment
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations (ITAR), employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or Department of Commerce.