Rocket Lab

Senior RF Systems 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 of relevant experience
  • Strong RF knowledge, including link budget analysis and linearity
  • Theoretical and practical understanding of RF communications and navigation systems
  • Experience developing and delivering multiple RF systems from assessment to mission support
  • Knowledge of satellite operations, RF licensing, and ground station networks
  • U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
  • Ability to obtain a TS / SCI clearance

Responsibilities

  • Define and maintain requirements specifications for RF systems
  • Conduct payload design trades for new business proposals
  • Drive the development process through key design decisions
  • Complete analyses to meet design requirements
  • Develop and execute test plans and procedures
  • Contribute to the design of ground support equipment and production automation
  • Create product documentation like ICDs and User Manuals

Benefits

  • Equity grants as part of total compensation package
  • Industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Paid vacation, sick time, and 11 paid holidays
  • Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
  • Paid parental leave and disability/life insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Subsidized EV charging and onsite fitness centers
  • Discounts on gym memberships and company merchandise
Full Job Description
SENIOR RF SYSTEMS ENGINEER II PIPELINE

Based at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, we are looking for a Senior RF Systems Engineer II for a future opening who will be responsible for supporting the development of new RF products including components and systems. You will develop the payload and TT&C subsystems and support hands-on RF payload testing. The successful candidate will have a strong combination of RF engineering, system design, and system test experience, and will thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

System Development
  • Define and maintain requirements specifications
  • Conduct payload design trades in support of new business proposals
  • Drive the development process, making key design decisions and trades
  • Complete analyses in support of design needs
  • 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

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 AS SENIOR RF SYSTEMS ENGINEER II:
  • Bachelors degree in electrical engineering, RF communications (or other engineering degree) and 8+ years of relevant experience
  • Demonstrated RF knowledge including link budget analysis and linearity.
  • A solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF communications and navigation systems and components.
  • Can account for ITU constraints e.g. PFD limits and DSN protection.
  • End to end experience in developing and delivering multiple RF systems including assessing requirements, prototyping engineering models, producing space worthy products, and mission support.
  • Detailed knowledge in the areas of satellite operations, RF licensing and ground station networks will have been obtained and demonstrated.
  • U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements
  • Ability to obtain a TS / SCI clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
  • Existing TS / SCI clearance
  • Extensive experience in space grade system design
  • Extensive experience in 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 mentoring others
  • 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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