Senior RF Engineer II - Radar Verified today

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. The Space Systems team has delivered over 1,700 missions including interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing, and national security initiatives, working with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

The Role

Based in Long Beach, CA, you will lead technical development of space-based radar systems including Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and radar applications. You will drive radar system architecture, oversee RF component integration, and support hands-on radar testing and calibration.

System Development

• Lead technical development of space-based radar systems including architecture design, prototyping, integration, test, and flight development
• Define and maintain radar performance requirements and link budget specifications accounting for orbital parameters
• Conduct radar payload design trades including antenna selection, waveform optimization, and processing architectures for space platforms
• Drive key technical decisions for radar modes, timing, PRF selection, and RF chain design considering orbit dynamics
• Complete radar analyses including range/Doppler resolution, SNR, ambiguity analysis, interference assessment, and orbital effects on performance
• Analyze mission requirements including orbit selection, ground track patterns, and revisit characteristics
• Develop and execute radar calibration strategies and image quality validation methods for spaceborne systems
• Support the development of radar test plans, procedures, and automated test systems
• Lead the design and development of radar GSE including calibration sources and test fixtures
• Support spacecraft integration activities and interface with bus subsystem teams (power, thermal, ADCS, data handling)
• Support the development of product documentation including ICDs, test reports, and User Manuals

Radar and RF Engineering

• Design and analyze radar waveforms for various space-based imaging and detection applications
• Perform radar system modeling and simulation using tools such as MATLAB, STK, or custom codes including orbital propagation
• Assess and integrate COTS RF components for space-qualified radar transmit/receive chains
• Support hands-on radar testing including EIRP measurements, receiver sensitivity, etc.
• Interface with multidisciplinary teams including RF, digital, mechanical, thermal, structural, and software engineers

Customer and Program Support

• Review proposals and requirements specifications for space-based radar payload opportunities
• Scope and drive development activities for new radar capabilities
• Support engineering reviews such as PDRs, CDRs and TRRs
• Provide technical support to internal/external customers including radar performance troubleshooting
• Maintain broad awareness of product development and production schedules

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field
• 8+ years of relevant experience
• Hands-on experience with space-based radar systems including system integration and mission operations, including imaging modes, processing, and performance assessment
• Strong understanding of orbital mechanics and spacecraft systems including how orbit parameters affect radar performance
• Working knowledge of spacecraft subsystems including power, thermal, ADCS, and their impact on radar payload design
• Strong radar system knowledge including waveform design, pulse compression, and Doppler processing
• Solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF systems including link budgets, linearity, and noise analysis
• Experience developing and delivering radar/RF systems from requirements through testing for space applications
• Proficiency with radar simulation tools and orbital analysis software
• Experience with radar testing including range measurements and RF performance characterization
• U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD TS/SCI clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing DoD TS/SCI clearance
• Extensive experience in space-grade radar system design and environmental testing
• Knowledge of advanced SAR techniques (GMTI, InSAR, polarimetry) for space platforms

Compensation

Base salary: $141,800 to $212,600 USD. Total compensation (base and equity): $174,300 to $269,875 USD. Equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Benefits

Industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (15% discount), top-tier 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 (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and additional employee discounts.