Senior RF Payload Formulation Systems Engineer - Secret Clearance

Location

Chantilly, VA

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. Our Electron rocket is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit. We are developing Neutron, a medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle, and our Space Systems business designs and builds a diverse fleet of satellites and payloads, including spacecraft selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars.

Senior RF Payload Formulation Systems Engineer – responsible for leading the formulation and development of advanced RF payload systems for next‑generation satellite platforms. You will drive technical innovation in communications, radar, and other RF sensing applications with emphasis on resilient space architectures, managing payload requirements, performance analysis, technical budgets, and systems engineering processes for RF‑centric missions.

• 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).
  • Payload requirements and verification strategies.
  • Simulations and analysis for RF system performance (antenna patterns, coverage, data rates, detection ranges).
  • Payload integration and test methods.
• Drive technical development of advanced payload concepts including but not limited to:
  • Radar systems (MTI, SAR, change detection).
  • 5G Non‑Terrestrial Networks (NTN), broadband, and tactical communications systems.
  • Passive RF sensing and signals intelligence.
  • Resilient and disaggregated payload architectures.
• Lead payload‑to‑bus interface definition and coordinate with spacecraft subsystems (power, thermal, ADCS, C&DH).
• Develop, in collaboration with payload suppliers and team members, interface specifications, CONOPS definition, and technical design documents.
• Assist with program and product management for payload‑focused programs.

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or another 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.

• Master’s or PhD in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related discipline focused 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.
  • 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 other 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.
  • 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.

• Specific vision abilities required…