Senior Systems Engineer II RF Mission Solutions

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 SYSTEMS ENGINEER II RF MISSION SOLUTIONS

Based out of Rocket Labs global headquarters in Long Beach CA Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior RF Mission Architect who thrives at the front end of the mission lifecycle. We operate on a work fast bid fast build fast cadence. We design and manufacture high-performance payload products that serve as the building blocks for next-generation tactical satcom space-based sensing and direct-to-cell constellations.

In this role you hold primary technical ownership over how our core product line evolves to capture new missions. You will balance link budgets antenna architectures digital vs analog components SWaP-C constraints and then some while authoring those trades into winning technical concepts for defense and commercial customers.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Architect Clean-Sheet Payloads: Run early mission trades define payload topologies analog vs digital conversion boundary waveform processing constraints or integration of cryptographic requirement for optimal mission profiles.
• Drive Technical Capture: Work directly with customers and our leadership team to frame complex RF trade-offs write the core technical architecture narratives for key proposals and defend your design choices.
• Shape the Hardware Roadmap: Use insights from customer mission needs to directly influence our internal R&D payload prototyping and technology investments.
• Bridge Concept to Flight: Partner with payload hardware software and spacecraft teams to make sure the architectures you pitch are buildable and transition cleanly into flight development.

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in electrical engineering aerospace engineering or other technical discipline
• 8 years of experience in aerospace or defense RF systems
• Demonstrated track record architecting complex multi-function RF SAR/radar or digital communication payloads from concept to proposal win
• Eligible to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Advanced degree in RF/microwave electromagnetics radar or related field
• Experience in antennas arrays RF frontend architectures TR modules DSP
• Radar techniques (SAR MTI STAP) performance modeling
• Advanced waveforms protected tactical standards spectrum management
• Digital payload concepts and RFcompute convergence
• Radiation effects and resilient RF architectures
• Zero trust Post-quantum Cryptography requirements at hardware level
• Tools: STK MATLAB Python HFSS CST
• Understanding of spacecraft bus systems and their impact on payloads
• RF-centric mission design and integration experience
• Visionary and technically rigorous
• Comfortable in ambiguity and openended missions
• Resilient against that cant be done thinking
• Collaborative across BD engineering executives suppliers and partners
• A clear communicator able to explain complex decisions in mission financial context
• Efficient: strong foundations but always seeking faster smarter ways to execute
• Entrepreneurial: eager to pursue bold ideas and see them come to life
• Either a seasoned architect ready to influence strategy or a fast-learning cleared engineer ready to accelerate into mission formulation

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.