Senior RF Engineer II Radar

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.

SENIOR RF ENGINEER II RADAR

Based at Rocket Labs global headquarters in Long Beach CA we are looking for a Senior RF Engineer II - Radar/RF who will be responsible for the technical development of radar and RF systems including SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and space-based radar applications. You will drive radar system architecture oversee RF component integration and support hands-on radar testing and calibration. The successful candidate will have a strong combination of radar engineering RF systems design and spacecraft systems experience and will thrive in a fast-paced dynamic environment.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

System Development

• Lead technical development of space-based radar systems including architecture design prototyping integration test and flight development
• Define and maintain radar performance requirements and link budget specifications accounting for orbital parameters
• Conduct radar payload design trades including antenna selection waveform optimization and processing architectures for space platforms
• Drive key technical decisions for radar modes timing PRF selection and RF chain design considering orbit dynamics
• Complete radar analyses including range/Doppler resolution SNR ambiguity analysis interference assessment and orbital effects on performance
• Analyze mission requirements including orbit selection ground track patterns and revisit characteristics
• Develop and execute radar calibration strategies and image quality validation methods for spaceborne systems
• Support the development of radar test plans procedures and automated test systems
• Lead the design and development of radar GSE including calibration sources and test fixtures
• Support spacecraft integration activities and interface with bus subsystem teams (power thermal ADCS data handling)
• Support the development of product documentation including ICDs test reports and User Manuals

Radar & RF Engineering

• Design and analyze radar waveforms for various space-based imaging and detection applications
• Perform radar system modeling and simulation using tools such as MATLAB STK or custom codes including orbital propagation
• Assess and integrate COTS RF components for space-qualified radar transmit/receive chains
• Support hands-on radar testing including EIRP measurements receiver sensitivity etc.
• Interface with multidisciplinary teams including RF digital mechanical thermal structural and software engineers

Customer/Program Support

• Review proposals and requirements specifications for space-based radar payload opportunities
• Scope and drive development activities for new radar capabilities
• Support engineering reviews such as PDRs CDRs and TRRs
• Provide technical support to internal/external customers including radar performance troubleshooting
• Maintain broad awareness of product development and production schedules

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in electrical engineering aerospace engineering or related field
• 8 years of relevant experience
• Hands-on experience with space-based radar systems including system integration and mission operations including imaging modes processing and performance assessment
• Strong understanding of orbital mechanics and spacecraft systems including how orbit parameters affect radar performance
• Working knowledge of spacecraft subsystems including power thermal ADCS and their impact on radar payload design
• Strong radar system knowledge including waveform design pulse compression and Doppler processing
• Solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF systems including link budgets linearity and noise analysis
• Experience developing and delivering radar/RF systems from requirements through testing for space applications
• Proficiency with radar simulation tools and orbital analysis software
• Experience with radar testing including range measurements and RF performance characterization
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD TS/SCI clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Existing DoD TS/SCI clearance
• Extensive experience in space-grade radar system design and environmental testing
• Knowledge of advanced SAR techniques (GMTI InSAR polarimetry) for space platforms

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.