Senior RF Systems Engineer - Mission Formulation 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. Our Electron rocket has launched more than 230 satellites and we are developing Neutron, our medium-lift reusable launch vehicle. Our Space Systems business designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components including spacecraft selected for NASA Moon and Mars missions.

The Role

Based in Long Beach, CA, you will lead the formulation and development of advanced RF payload systems for next-generation satellite platforms. You will drive technical innovation in communications, radar, and RF sensing applications with emphasis on resilient space architectures, managing payload requirements definition, performance analysis, technical budgets, and systems engineering processes.

What You Will Do

• Lead RF payload engineering formulation supporting business development across communications, radar, and sensing missions
• Develop and maintain RF link budgets, performance analyses, payload requirements, verification strategies, and simulations for antenna patterns, coverage, data rates, and detection ranges
• Drive technical development of advanced payload concepts including radar systems (MTI, SAR, change detection), 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), broadband and tactical communications systems, passive RF sensing and signals intelligence, and resilient disaggregated payload architectures
• Lead payload-to-bus interface definition and coordinate with spacecraft subsystems including power, thermal, ADCS, and C&DH
• Develop interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and technical design documents in collaboration with payload suppliers and team members
• Assist with program and product management for payload-focused programs

Required Qualifications - Senior RF Engineer I

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace or defense RF systems
• Experience supporting satellite payload development, space-based radar, or satellite communications systems
• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility

Required Qualifications - Senior RF Engineer II

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline
• 8+ years of experience in aerospace or defense RF systems
• Experience supporting satellite payload development, space-based radar, or satellite communications systems
• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility

Desired Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related discipline with focus on RF/microwave systems, electromagnetics, or radar
• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Deep understanding of RF payload subsystems including phased array and reflector antenna design, RF front-end architectures, transmit/receive modules and beamforming, digital signal processing for radar and communications, and frequency planning and spectrum management
• Experience with radar processing techniques (SAR, MTI, STAP) and performance modeling
• Knowledge of 5G NTN standards, waveforms, and regulatory environment
• Knowledge of tactical communication systems and protected communication standards
• Understanding of passive RF collection and geolocation techniques
• Familiarity with radiation effects on RF electronics and mitigation strategies
• Experience with electronic protection and resilient RF architectures including anti-jam/anti-spoof techniques, frequency/beam agility, software-defined systems, and payload hardening for contested/degraded environments
• Proficiency with RF analysis tools (STK, MATLAB, Python, HFSS, CST)
• Understanding of spacecraft bus subsystems and their impact on payload performance
• Experience with payload integration, test, and calibration
• Knowledge of orbital mechanics and mission design for RF missions
• Highly effective technical communication skills with customers, payload suppliers, and internal teams

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary range (CA only): $120,000 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 top-tier medical HMO and PPO plans with 100% company-sponsored medical 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) retirement plan with company match, discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts. Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status.

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.

US Employment Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including ITAR, employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), lawfully admitted 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.