Senior RF Radar Engineer I

Rocket Lab Corporation•Long Beach, CA

3d•$132,000 - $198,000•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior RF Radar Engineer I for its Space Systems team, based at the company’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California. The role is responsible for the technical development of radar and RF systems, including synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and space-based radar applications. The engineer will drive radar system architecture, oversee RF component integration, and support hands-on radar testing and calibration. The position combines radar engineering, RF systems design, and spacecraft systems experience in a fast-paced environment. The role includes developing space-based radar systems from architecture, prototyping, and integration through testing and flight development. It also involves radar performance and link-budget analysis, payload design trades, waveform and processing design, calibration and image-quality validation, radar test systems and ground support equipment, and spacecraft integration. The engineer will work with multidisciplinary teams, support customer and program activities, contribute to engineering reviews, and maintain awareness of product development and production schedules. The position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements, and the successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD TS/SCI clearance.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related field.
At least 5 years of relevant experience.
Hands-on experience with space-based radar systems, including system integration and mission operations, 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, and ADCS, and their impact on radar payload design.
Strong radar systems knowledge, including waveform design, pulse compression, and Doppler processing.
Theoretical and practical understanding of RF systems, including link budgets, linearity, and noise analysis.
Experience developing and delivering radar/RF systems for space applications from requirements through testing.
Proficiency with radar simulation tools and orbital analysis software.
Experience with radar testing, including range measurements and RF performance characterization.
U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD TS/SCI clearance.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Lead technical development of space-based radar systems, including architecture design, prototyping, integration, testing, 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 technical decisions about radar modes, timing, pulse repetition frequency (PRF), and RF chain design while considering orbital dynamics.
Perform radar analyses covering range and Doppler resolution, signal-to-noise ratio, ambiguity, interference, and orbital effects on performance.
Analyze mission requirements, including orbit selection, ground-track patterns, and revisit characteristics.
Develop radar calibration strategies and image-quality validation methods for spaceborne systems.
Support development of radar test plans, procedures, and automated test systems.
Lead the design and development of radar ground support equipment, including calibration sources and test fixtures.
Support spacecraft integration and interface with bus subsystem teams for power, thermal, ADCS, and data handling.
Support product documentation, including interface control documents, test reports, and user manuals.
Design and analyze radar waveforms for space-based imaging and detection applications.
Model and simulate radar systems using tools such as MATLAB, STK, or custom code, including orbital propagation.
Assess and integrate commercial off-the-shelf RF components for space-qualified radar transmit and receive chains.
Support hands-on radar testing, including EIRP measurements and receiver-sensitivity testing.
Work with multidisciplinary RF, digital, mechanical, thermal, structural, and software engineering teams.
Review proposals and requirements specifications for space-based radar payload opportunities.
Scope and drive development activities for new radar capabilities.
Support engineering reviews, including PDRs, CDRs, and TRRs.
Provide technical support to internal and external customers, including troubleshooting radar performance.
Maintain broad awareness of product development and production schedules.

Benefits

Company stock as part of the total compensation package.
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 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 the company merchandise store.
Other employee discounts.