SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior RF Digital Payload Engineer II to develop next-generation digital payload products including modems, processors, and network routers for space applications. Based at Rocket Lab's Long Beach headquarters, you will own the complete product lifecycle from initial concept through in-flight operations, including board layout, bring-up, qualification, and production.
In the Product Development domain, you will define and maintain requirements specifications, architect digital product designs, and support the development process to ensure alignment with product capabilities. You'll design and prototype digital products including component selection and PCB layout, fabrication, and packaging. You'll support the development of test plans, ground support equipment (GSE), production automation, and comprehensive product documentation including Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and User Manuals. You'll liaise with Test Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers to drive New Product Introduction.
For Customer and Program Support, you'll review proposals and requirements specifications to assess compliance against existing capabilities versus development needs. You'll scope and drive development activities for new requirements, support engineering reviews (PDRs, CDRs, TRRs), and provide technical support to internal and external customers including troubleshooting and anomaly resolution. You'll maintain awareness of product development and production schedules to ensure customer and program needs are satisfied.
You bring 8+ years of space electronics experience with deep technical expertise in high-speed serial interfaces (SPI, PCIe, Ethernet), system-on-chips, microcontrollers, and digital signal processing. You have proven experience developing and delivering digital products from requirements assessment through prototyping engineering models to space-worthy production. You possess detailed knowledge of DSP algorithms and communication theory. U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
Nice-to-have qualifications include ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance, deep modem experience and familiarity with latest modem components, extensive space-grade board design experience including parts selection and performance simulation for high-speed digital and mixed-signal circuits, circuit analysis expertise (timing and physical constraints), experience leading complex engineering programs with strong documentation practices, and experience designing, integrating, and testing communications systems for launch vehicles or satellites.
