Senior RF Systems Engineer II 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 company's Electron rocket has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit. Rocket Lab is developing Neutron, a medium-lift reusable launch vehicle, and builds spacecraft selected for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars.

Space Systems

The Space Systems team designs and builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and subsystems including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios. The team has enabled more than 1,700 missions including interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing, and national security initiatives.

The Role

Based in Long Beach, CA, you will support the development of new RF products including components and systems. You will develop payload and TT&C subsystems and support hands-on RF payload testing. You will work in a fast-paced environment combining RF engineering, system design, and system test experience.

What You'll Do

System Development

• Define and maintain requirements specifications
• Conduct payload design trades in support of new business proposals
• Drive the development process, making key design decisions and trades
• Complete analyses in support of design needs
• Support the development of test plans and procedures
• Support the design and development of GSE and production automation
• Support the development of product documentation including ICDs and User Manuals

Customer and Program Support

• Review proposals and requirements specifications to assess compliance based on existing unit capabilities vs 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 other engineering discipline
• 8 or more years of relevant RF systems experience
• Demonstrated RF knowledge including link budget analysis and linearity
• Solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF communications and navigation systems and components
• Ability to account for ITU constraints such as PFD limits and DSN protection
• End-to-end experience developing and delivering multiple RF systems including assessing requirements, prototyping engineering models, producing space-worthy products, and mission support
• Detailed knowledge of satellite operations, RF licensing, and ground station networks
• U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance

Nice to Have

• Existing TS/SCI clearance
• 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 and dealing with difficult people
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Effective communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships
• Project management experience

Working Conditions

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.

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary range (CA only): $145,000 to $210,000 USD. Base salary is determined on a case-by-case basis based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Benefits include company equity, medical HMO and PPO plans with 100% company-sponsored HSA option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging, onsite gym, and food and drinks.