Senior RF Phased Array Engineer II 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. We are developing Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift reusable launch vehicle. Our Space Systems business designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components, including spacecraft selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

The Role

Based in Long Beach, CA, you will be the technical lead responsible for the development of new RF products and systems, including Rocket Lab's phased arrays, and assessment of commercial-off-the-shelf components. You will model and simulate antenna performance for current programs and proposals. You will have a strong understanding of antennas at component and system level and thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic 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 and developments are aligned with product and system needs
• Model and simulate array performance
• Lead efforts alongside an interdisciplinary team of 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 testing active antennas, including EIRP and G/T
• Design and develop ground support equipment and production automation
• Support development of product documentation including ICDs and User Manuals

Customer and Program Support

• Drive proposals and requirements specifications to assess compliance based on existing unit capabilities versus development needs
• 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 including general questions and anomaly troubleshooting
• Maintain broad awareness of product development and production schedules to ensure customer and program needs are satisfied

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, RF communications, or equivalent qualification
• 8 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 running modeling and simulation of antenna and phased array performance
• Deep understanding of the effects of interference on the system
• Experience developing and delivering an RF system, including assessing requirements, prototyping engineering models, and producing space-worthy products

Desirable Qualifications

• Extensive experience in space-grade system design
• Extensive experience in analyses including worst case, reliability, FMECA, thermal, and derating analyses
• Extensive experience supporting and leading complex engineering programs and developing associated documentation
• Experience designing, integrating, and testing RF communications systems for launch vehicles or satellites
• Demonstrated expertise in mentoring others
• Experience leading incident management and investigations
• Experience in conflict resolution
• 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): $145,000 to $210,000 USD. Level and base salary determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Benefits include company equity, top-tier medical HMO and PPO with 100% company-sponsored HSA option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 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, food and drinks, and other discounts. Eligibility may vary based on employment status.

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.

US Employment Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce.