Rocket Lab

Senior RF Design Engineer II - Pipeline

Rocket Lab$141K — $212K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or RF communications with 8+ years relevant experience
  • Fundamental RF knowledge including device analysis and link budget analysis
  • Experience developing and delivering RF products for space applications
  • Solid understanding of RF communications and navigation systems
  • U.S. citizenship required due to program needs
  • Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance

Responsibilities

  • Define and maintain product requirements specifications
  • Support product development aligning design decisions with product capabilities
  • Design and prototype RF products including PCB layout
  • Develop test plans and procedures for RF products
  • Create product documentation including ICDs and user manuals
  • Collaborate with Test and Manufacturing Engineers for New Product Introduction
  • Assess compliance of proposals against existing product capabilities

Benefits

  • Comprehensive Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount
  • Top-tier medical plans including zero-cost HDHP with HSA contributions
  • Paid vacation and sick time with 11 holidays
  • Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
  • Paid parental leave
  • Disability and life insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Subsidized EV charging and onsite fitness centers
  • Employee discounts on merchandise and gym memberships
Full Job Description
SENIOR RF DESIGN ENGINEER II

We are currently seeking a Senior RF Design Engineer II based onsite at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA. The Senior RF Design Engineer will be responsible for supporting the development of new RF products including Rocket Lab's radio product line alongside the radio development team. The Senior RF Design Engineer will design and simulate RF products including the Frontier-Lite Radio. The successful candidate will have a strong combination of RF engineering, system design, and board/circuit design skills and will thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

Product Development
  • Define and maintain requirements specifications
  • Support the development process, ensuring key design decisions and developments are in alignment with the required product capabilities
  • Design and prototype the RF product including component selection and PCB layout / fabrication / 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/Program Support
  • Review proposals and requirements specifications to assess compliance based on existing unit capabilities vs development needs
  • Scope and drive development activities for new requirements
  • Support engineering reviews such as PDRs, CDRs and TRRs
  • Provide technical support to internal/external customers including general questions and anomaly troubleshooting
  • Maintain broad awareness of product development and production schedules to ensure the needs of customers and programs are satisfied

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS FOR A SENIOR RF DESIGN ENGINEER II:
  • Bachelors degree in electrical engineering, RF communications (or other engineering degree) and 8+ years of relevant experience
  • Fundamental RF knowledge including cascaded device analysis, link budget analysis, and HFSS
  • Experience in developing and delivering a RF product including assessing requirements, prototyping engineering models, and producing space worthy products.
  • A solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF communications and navigation systems and components
  • U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements
  • Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
  • Extensive experience in space grade board design including parts selection and performance simulation
  • Extensive experience in circuit analyses including 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 people management.
  • Experience leading incident management and investigations.
  • Experience in conflict resolution and dealing with difficult people.
  • The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
  • Effective communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships
  • Project management experience

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.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant 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, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$174,300-$269,875 USD

Base Salary

$141,800-$212,600 USD

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a private American aerospace manufacturer and small satellite launch service provider. The company was founded in 2006 by New Zealander Peter Beck. Rocket Lab's Electron rocket is designed to launch small payloads of up to 300 kg into low Earth orbit. The company has launched several successful missions and has contracts with NASA and other organizations. Rocket Lab has raised over $200 million in funding and has offices in the United States and New Zealand.
Learn more about Rocket Lab
Size
500 employees
Market Cap
$1.6 billion
Industry
Founded
2006
NASDAQ

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