Senior RF Digital Payload Engineer II Pipeline 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, and expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives, with partnerships including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
The Role
Based onsite at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, you will be responsible for the development of new digital payload products including modems, processors, and network routers. You will take designs from initial concept through inflight operations, including board layout, bring-up, qualification, and production. You will combine RF engineering, system design, and board/circuit design expertise in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
What You'll Do
Product Development
- Define and maintain requirements specifications
- Architect the digital product design
- Support the development process, ensuring key design decisions align with required product capabilities
- Design and prototype the digital product including component selection and PCB layout, fabrication, and packaging
- Support the development of test plans and procedures
- Support the design and development of GSE and production automation
- Support the development of product documentation including ICDs and User Manuals
- Liaise with Test Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers to drive New Product Introduction
Customer and Program Support
- Review proposals and requirements specifications to assess compliance based on existing unit 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 general questions and anomaly troubleshooting
- Maintain broad awareness of product development and production schedules to ensure customer and program needs are satisfied
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or other engineering discipline
- 8+ years of experience in space electronics with technical expertise in high-speed serial interfaces (SPI, PCIe, Ethernet), system on chips, microcontrollers, and digital signal processing
- Experience developing and delivering a digital product including assessing requirements, prototyping engineering models, and producing space-worthy products
- Detailed knowledge of digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms and communication theory
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
Nice to Have
- Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance
- Deep experience in various modems and familiarity with latest modem components
- Extensive experience in space-grade board design including parts selection and performance simulation for high-speed digital and mixed-signal circuits
- Extensive experience in circuit analyses including timing analysis and physical constraints
- Extensive experience supporting and leading complex engineering programs and developing associated documentation; demonstrated code design for reusability, maintainability, and scalability
- Experience designing, integrating, and testing communications systems for launch vehicles or satellites
- 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
Total Compensation (base and equity): $174,300 to $269,875 USD
Base Salary: $141,800 to $212,600 USD
Compensation is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Benefits include company stock as part of your total compensation package, an Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, medical plans (HMO, PPO, and 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) retirement plan with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers where available, 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.