RF Phased Array Engineer I Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected and protected, and expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Space Systems Team
Our Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and subsystems including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios. We have enabled more than 1,700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration to national security and defense, working with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
The Role
Based at Rocket Lab's Long Beach, CA headquarters, you will be responsible for development of new RF products and systems including Rocket Lab's phased arrays, and assessment of COTS components. You will model and simulate antenna performance for current programs and proposals. You'll thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with strong understanding of antennas at the component and system level.
Product Development
- Support 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
- Work alongside RF, digital, power, mechanical, thermal, and structural engineers
- Support transition from new product introduction to production
- Interface with vendors and customers
- Develop test plans and procedures for active antennas including EIRP and G/T
- Design and develop GSE and production automation
- Support development of product documentation including ICDs and User Manuals
Customer and Program Support
- Support proposals and requirements specifications to assess compliance
- Implement 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
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, RF communications, or equivalent qualification
- Fundamental RF knowledge including link budget analysis and linearity
- Solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF communications and navigation systems and components
- Basic knowledge of antenna and array modeling
- Ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance
Nice-to-Have Qualifications
- Extensive experience in space-grade system design
- Extensive experience in analyses including worst case, reliability, FMECA, thermal, and derating
- Extensive experience supporting and leading complex engineering programs and documentation
- Experience designing, integrating, and testing RF communications systems for launch vehicles or satellites
- Demonstrated expertise in mentoring others
- Experience leading incident management and investigations
- Experience in conflict resolution
- Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines
- Effective communication skills and ability to build strong working relationships
- Project management experience
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary: $82,400 to $103,000 USD. Total compensation including equity: $89,350 to $115,025 USD. Anticipated annual equity grant value designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.
Benefits include company stock as part of total compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero-cost HDHP with HSA company 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 centers, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and various other employee discounts.
Working Conditions
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.
US Employment Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including ITAR, Rocket Lab employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce.