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, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Space Systems Team
Our Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and components 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. We work with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force on missions to the Moon and Mars.
The Role
Based at Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA, you will be responsible for developing new RF products and systems, including Rocket Lab's phased arrays, and assessing COTS components. You will model and simulate antenna performance for current programs and proposals, working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with strong understanding of antennas at component and system levels.
What You'll Do
Product Development
- Support end-to-end efforts including architecture design, prototyping, integration, test, and flight development
- Ensure key design decisions and developments align with product and system needs
- Model and simulate array performance
- Work alongside interdisciplinary team of RF, digital, power, mechanical, thermal, and structural engineers
- Support transition of 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 testing
- 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 based on existing unit capabilities versus development needs
- 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 to satisfy customer and program needs
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or 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
Preferred Qualifications
- Extensive experience in space-grade system design
- Extensive experience in analyses including worst case, reliability, FMECA, thermal, and derating analyses
- Extensive experience supporting and leading complex engineering programs and developing associated 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
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
- Effective communication skills and ability to build strong working relationships
- Project management experience
Compensation and Benefits
Base pay range (CA only): $88,000 to $132,000 USD. Compensation includes company stock as part of your total package.
Benefits include industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (15% discount), top-tier medical plans, 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) retirement plan with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, and employee discounts.
Employment Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including ITAR, you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce.
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.