Senior RF Systems Engineer I/II

About the role

Rocket Lab Corporation is seeking a Senior RF Systems Engineer to join their growing team in Long Beach, California. This position centers on the design, development, and testing of radio frequency systems that are used in launch vehicles and spacecraft missions. The engineer will work closely with cross-functional engineering teams to deliver reliable RF solutions that meet the demanding requirements of space applications. Candidates in this role will contribute to critical system architecture decisions and support hardware integration activities throughout the entire product lifecycle. The engineer will report to a lead within the RF systems group and participate in ongoing technical planning.

Key facts

What you'll do

Design and analyze RF front-end modules for launch vehicle and satellite communication systems

Develop RF link budgets and perform signal chain simulations to validate overall system performance

Collaborate with antenna engineers to characterize and optimize antenna performance across multiple frequency bands

Conduct bench-level testing and measurement of RF components using laboratory instrumentation and equipment as needed

Integrate RF subsystems into larger vehicle or spacecraft platforms during integration and test campaigns

Troubleshoot RF anomalies identified during ground testing or flight missions and determine root causes

Create and maintain technical documentation including design specifications, test plans, and final reports

Participate in design reviews and provide engineering input to support critical program milestones

Support the selection and qualification of RF components from commercial and custom suppliers

Work with firmware and software engineers to ensure proper RF system control and calibration procedures

Evaluate new RF technologies and assess their applicability for future launch vehicle and satellite programs

Coordinate with systems engineers to define RF requirements and trace them through verification activities

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, physics, or a closely related technical discipline from an accredited institution

Minimum of five years of professional experience in RF systems engineering or a closely related field

Proven experience designing and testing RF circuits, modules, or subsystems for aerospace or defense applications

Strong understanding of RF propagation, antenna theory, and communication system fundamentals and principles

Proficiency with RF measurement equipment such as spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, and signal generators

Experience with RF simulation and modeling tools for circuit-level and system-level performance analysis

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple technical priorities at the same time

Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams

Familiarity with space systems engineering processes and the standards used in the aerospace industry

Comfort with traveling occasionally to launch sites or other facilities for integration and test support

Nice to have

Experience with space-grade or flight-qualified hardware design and testing processes and procedures

Familiarity with RF system design for CubeSat or small satellite platforms and constellations

Knowledge of digital modulation schemes and digital signal processing techniques for communication systems

Prior experience working in a regulated or safety-critical engineering environment with strict standards

Background in RF system modeling and performance prediction for orbital and suborbital missions

Exposure to FPGA or embedded systems design for RF control and signal processing applications

Skills & tools

RF circuit design and analysis using industry-standard simulation software tools and environments

Spectrum analysis and signal measurement techniques for characterizing RF component and system behavior

Antenna measurement and characterization methods conducted in anechoic chamber and open-air settings

RF system architecture and link budget engineering practices for space and launch applications

Hardware description languages for implementing digital RF control logic and calibration routines

Technical writing and documentation practices for producing clear engineering deliverables and reports

Practical notes

This role is based at Rocket Lab Corporation's facility in Long Beach, California and requires on-site presence

The position requires full-time on-site attendance at the Long Beach office during regular business hours

Candidates selected for this role may need to pass a background check as part of the pre-employment process

The role may involve occasional travel to other Rocket Lab facilities or launch sites for testing and integration activities

This is a full-time position and is not structured as a remote or work-from-home arrangement