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Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior RF Systems Engineer II to support the development of new RF products, components, and systems for space applications. Based at the Long Beach headquarters, you will develop payload and telemetry, tracking & command (TT&C) subsystems while supporting hands-on RF payload testing.
In this role, you will own system development activities including defining and maintaining requirements specifications, conducting payload design trades for new business proposals, driving the development process with key design decisions, and completing analyses to support design needs. You'll support the development of test plans, procedures, ground support equipment (GSE), and production automation. You'll also contribute to product documentation including interface control documents (ICDs) and user manuals.
On the customer and program support side, you'll review proposals and requirements to assess compliance against existing capabilities, scope and drive development for new requirements, support engineering reviews (PDRs, CDRs, TRRs), provide technical support to internal and external customers, and maintain awareness of product development and production schedules.
You bring a Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, RF communications, or related field with 8+ years of relevant experience. You have demonstrated RF knowledge including link budget analysis and linearity, solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF communications and navigation systems, and familiarity with ITU constraints (PFD limits, DSN protection). You have end-to-end experience developing and delivering multiple RF systems from requirements through prototyping, space-worthy production, and mission support. Detailed knowledge of satellite operations, RF licensing, and ground station networks is required.
U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements, and you must be able to obtain a TS/SCI security clearance. Nice-to-have qualifications include existing TS/SCI clearance, extensive space-grade system design experience, expertise in analyses (worst-case, reliability, FMECA, thermal, derating), experience supporting complex engineering programs, RF communications systems design for launch vehicles or satellites, mentoring experience, incident management leadership, and conflict resolution skills.
