Director, Radar Payload

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets spacecraft and critical subsystems that keep the world connected protected expand humanitys reach to the Moon Mars and beyond. We move fast build real hardware for meaningful missions and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab were not just launching rockets were building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space like solar panels flight software star trackers optical systems separation systems radios and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft payloads and components for missions to the Moon and Mars working with partners including NASA the Space Development Agency and the U.S. Space Force. Whether its a single high-performance spacecraft constellation or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

DIRECTOR RADAR PAYLOAD

Based at Rocket Labs global headquarters in Long Beach CA we are looking for a Director Radar Payload who will be responsible for leading the development of advanced radar payloads including SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and space-based radar systems. You will oversee the design integration and testing of radar payload subsystems and lead a team of RF engineers. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in radar system development SAR processing spaceborne radar missions and payload integration and will thrive in a fast-paced dynamic environment.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

System Leadership & Development

• Lead the end-to-end development of space-based radar payload systems including architecture design prototyping integration test and flight development Ensure key design decisions and developments are in alignment with product / system needs
• Define and maintain radar payload requirements specifications and performance metrics considering orbital parameters and mission constraints
• Conduct radar system design trades in support of new business proposals and mission architectures including orbit selection and spacecraft impacts
• Drive key design decisions for waveform design antenna architecture and signal processing chains optimized for space-based operations
• Lead analyses including radar equation modeling for various orbits clutter analysis SNR ambiguity resolution and Doppler centroid variations
• Oversee the development of radar calibration procedures and image quality assessment methodologies for spaceborne systems
• Direct the integration of radar payloads with spacecraft bus systems including power budgets thermal management structural interfaces and data handling architectures
• Lead mission planning activities including ground track analysis access time optimization and coverage requirements
• Lead the development of test plans procedures and RF/radar test campaigns

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to radar and RF engineering teams
• Lead multidisciplinary teams for radar efforts including RF digital mechanical thermal structural and software engineers
• Drive innovation in space-based radar payload design and performance optimization
• Support the development of GSE calibration targets and production automation
• Develop product documentation including ICDs ConOps and User Manuals
• Guide spacecraft-level design decisions to optimize radar payload performance

Customer/Program Support

• Lead proposal efforts and requirements assessments for space-based radar payload opportunities
• Interface with customers government agencies and mission stakeholders
• Lead engineering reviews such as SRRs PDRs CDRs and TRRs
• Provide expert technical support for radar system anomaly resolution
• Maintain awareness of program schedules and ensure customer needs are satisfied

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in electrical engineering aerospace engineering or related field and 12 years of relevant experience
• Extensive hands-on experience developing and delivering radar systems from requirements through mission operations
• Deep knowledge of SAR imaging modes (stripmap spotlight ScanSAR TOPS) and processing algorithms for space-based platforms
• Demonstrated experience with space-based radar systems including LEO MEO or GEO configurations
• Expert-level understanding of orbital mechanics and how orbit parameters affect radar performance including revisit time coverage and resolution
• Strong knowledge of spacecraft design principles including power systems thermal control attitude determination and control and data handling
• Expert-level understanding of radar systems including waveform design pulse compression Doppler processing and clutter mitigation
• Proven track record leading complex spaceborne radar payload development programs
• Experience with radar payload testing including EIRP sensitivity range-Doppler response and image quality metrics
• Understanding of launch environment requirements and space qualification processes
• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS / SCI clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Existing TS / SCI clearance
• Experience with advanced SAR techniques (GMTI InSAR polarimetry bistatic SAR) from space platforms
• Knowledge of radar image processing autofocus algorithms and exploitation tools for spaceborne data
• Experience with digital beamforming and phased array radar systems for space applications
• Extensive experience in space-grade hardware design mission assurance and parts selection
• Experience with COTS radar component assessment and space qualification testing
• Knowledge of radar licensing frequency coordination ITU regulations and spectrum management for space systems
• Experience with ground segment development including mission planning tasking data downlink and processing systems
• Demonstrated expertise in FMECA reliability analysis worst-case analysis and radiation effects for space radar systems
• Experience with constellation design and multi-satellite radar architectures
• Knowledge of launch vehicle integration and orbital insertion strategies
• Project management and earned value management experience
• Publications or patents in space-based radar technology
• Strong communication skills and ability to present to executive leadership and customers

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting standing walking computer work and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise dust and fumes in production areas.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats not an easy task. It takes hard work determination relentless innovation teamwork grit and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each others backs checking our egos at the door and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure work to tight deadlines and our focus is always on how we can deliver rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder) or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia Japan New Zealand Switzerland the European Union or a country that is part of NATO or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations click here ITAR Regulations.