RF Phased Array Engineer II
About The Position
Rocket Lab’s RF Phased Array Engineer II develops new RF products and systems, including phased arrays, and assesses commercial off-the-shelf components. The role models and simulates antenna performance for current programs and proposals, and calls for a strong understanding of antennas at component and system levels. The position is based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, and works in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. The engineer supports product development from architecture design and prototyping through integration, testing, and flight development, helping ensure design decisions meet product and system needs. The role also supports transitions from new product introduction to production, works with vendors and customers, and collaborates with RF, digital, power, mechanical, thermal, and structural engineers. Responsibilities include developing active-antenna test plans and procedures, designing ground support equipment and production automation, and contributing to product documentation such as interface control documents and user manuals. The position also supports proposals, requirements compliance assessments, new requirement development, and engineering reviews. The engineer provides technical support and troubleshooting to internal and external customers and maintains awareness of product development and production schedules to help meet program and customer needs.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, RF communications, or an equivalent qualification.
- At least 2 years of relevant experience.
- 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 Haves
- Extensive experience in space-grade system design.
- Extensive experience with 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.
- Experience in conflict resolution and dealing with difficult people.
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
- Effective communication skills and ability to build strong working relationships.
- Project management experience.
Responsibilities
- Support end-to-end product development, including architecture design, prototyping, integration, testing, and flight development.
- Help ensure key design decisions and developments align with product and system needs.
- Model and simulate array performance.
- Collaborate with RF, digital, power, mechanical, thermal, and structural engineers.
- Support transitions 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 ground support equipment (GSE) and production automation.
- Support product documentation, including interface control documents (ICDs) and user manuals.
- Support proposals and requirements specifications, assessing compliance against existing unit capabilities and development needs.
- Implement development activities for new requirements.
- Support engineering reviews, including PDRs, CDRs, and TRRs.
- Provide technical support to internal and external customers, including answering questions and troubleshooting anomalies.
- Maintain awareness of product development and production schedules to help satisfy customer and program needs.
Benefits
- Company stock as part of total compensation.
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
- Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a company HSA contribution.
- Dental coverage.
- Vision coverage.
- Paid vacation and sick time.
- 11 paid holidays.
- Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
- Paid parental leave.
- Disability insurance.
- Life insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
- Subsidized EV charging.
- Onsite fitness centers where available.
- Discounted gym memberships.
- Complimentary snacks and beverages.
- Employee discount on the merchandise store and other employee discounts.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
