Senior RF Systems Engineer - Mission Formulation 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. The Electron rocket has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit and is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually. Rocket Lab is developing Neutron, an upcoming medium-lift reusable launch vehicle. The Space Systems business designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

The Role

Based in Chantilly, VA, the Senior RF Systems Engineer leads formulation and development of advanced RF payload systems for next-generation satellite platforms. You will support business development and new opportunity capture across civil, national security, and commercial missions, driving technical innovation in communications, radar, and RF sensing applications with emphasis on resilient space architectures.

What You'll Do

• Lead RF payload engineering formulation supporting business development and new opportunity capture across communications, radar, and other sensing missions
• Develop and maintain RF link budgets and performance analyses (uplink/downlink, radar equation, interference)
• Develop and maintain payload requirements and verification strategies
• Create simulations and analysis for RF system performance (antenna patterns, coverage, data rates, detection ranges)
• Develop payload integration and test methods
• 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 and disaggregated payload architectures
• Lead payload-to-bus interface definition and coordination with spacecraft subsystems (power, thermal, ADCS, C&D)
• 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

Qualifications for 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

Qualifications for 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

Desirable Skills and Experience

• 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 (LNAs, filters, diplexers, amplifiers), 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, waveforms, and regulatory environment
• 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 for mission flexibility, 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 (power, thermal, pointing, EMI/EMC)
• 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

Base salary range (Virginia): $120,000 to $210,000 USD. Base salary is one part of Rocket Lab's compensation package. You may be eligible for company stock or cash incentives and can purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab's Employee Stock Purchase Program. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Employment Requirements

This position requires U.S. citizenship, lawful U.S. permanent resident status (Green Card), refugee status, or asylum grant, or eligibility to obtain authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce under ITAR regulations.

The 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.