Principal RF Engineer Verified today
About the role
Based at Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA, you are the technical lead responsible for developing new RF products and systems, including Rocket Lab's phased arrays, and assessing commercial off-the-shelf components. You will model and simulate antenna performance for current programs and proposals.
What you'll do
Product Development
- Lead end-to-end efforts including architecture design, prototyping, integration, test, and flight development. Ensure key design decisions align with product and system needs.
- Model and simulate array performance
- Lead cross-functional teams of RF, digital, power, mechanical, thermal, and structural engineers
- Transition developments from new product introduction to production
- Interface with vendors and customers
- Develop test plans and procedures for active antennas, including EIRP and G/T measurements
- Design and develop ground support equipment and production automation
- Support product documentation including ICDs and user manuals
Customer and Program Support
- Drive proposals and requirements specifications to assess compliance based on existing capabilities versus development needs
- Scope and drive development activities for new requirements
- Support engineering reviews such as PDRs, CDRs, and TRRs
- Provide technical support to internal and external customers, including troubleshooting
- Maintain awareness of product development and production schedules
What you'll bring
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, RF communications, or equivalent qualification
- 8 or more years of relevant experience
- Fundamental RF knowledge including link budget analysis and linearity
- Solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF communications and navigation systems and components
- Experience running modelling and simulation of antenna and phased array performance
- Deep understanding of interference effects on systems
- Experience developing and delivering RF systems from requirements assessment through prototyping to space-worthy production
Desirable experience
- Space-grade system design
- Analyses including worst case, reliability, FMECA, thermal, and derating
- Supporting and leading complex engineering programs and associated documentation
- Designing, integrating, and testing RF communications systems for launch vehicles or satellites
- Mentoring others
- Leading incident management and investigations
- Project management
- Working effectively under pressure and to tight deadlines
Compensation and benefits
Base salary: $173,300 to $231,000 USD. Total compensation including equity: $223,025 to $339,400 USD.
Benefits include company stock (15% discount through Employee Stock Purchase Program), medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero-cost HDHP with HSA contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, 401(k) with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centres where available, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, and employee discounts.
Requirements
This position requires US person status to comply with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). You must be a US citizen, lawful US permanent resident, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the US Department of State or Commerce.
This position may require prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.