Senior RF Systems Engineer I​/II

Senior RF Systems Engineer I/II Pipeline

Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, we are looking for a Senior RF Systems Engineer I/II for a future opening. The role will support the development of new RF products including components and systems. You will develop the payload and TT&C subsystems and support hands‑on RF payload testing. The successful candidate will have a strong combination of RF engineering, system design, and system test experience, and will thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

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/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/external customers including general questions and anomaly troubleshooting
• Maintain broad awareness of product development and production schedules to ensure the needs of customers and programs are satisfied

• Bachelors degree in electrical engineering, RF communications (or other engineering degree) and 5+ years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated RF knowledge including link budget analysis and linearity
• A solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF communications and navigation systems and components
• Can account for ITU constraints e.g. PFD limits and DSN protection
• End‑to‑end experience in developing and delivering multiple RF systems including assessing requirements, prototyping engineering models, producing space‑worthy products, and mission support
• Detailed knowledge in the areas of satellite operations, RF licensing and ground station networks will have been obtained and demonstrated
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements
• Ability to obtain a TS / SCI clearance

• Bachelors degree in electrical engineering, RF communications (or other engineering degree) and 8+ years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated RF knowledge including link budget analysis and linearity
• A solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF communications and navigation systems and components
• Can account for ITU constraints e.g. PFD limits and DSN protection
• End‑to‑end experience in developing and delivering multiple RF systems including assessing requirements, prototyping engineering models, producing space‑worthy products, and mission support
• Detailed knowledge in the areas of satellite operations, RF licensing and ground station networks will have been obtained and demonstrated
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements
• Ability to obtain a TS / SCI clearance

• 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
• The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Effective communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
• Regularly required to sit, use…