RF Systems Engineer I – TT&C & Ground Ops

Rocket Lab Corporation; Auckland; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking an RF Systems Engineer I – Operations to ensure operational readiness of TT&C systems and ground stations for launch missions. You’ll work with RF, GNC, and Flight Software teams to define mission TT&C strategies, manage interfaces, and verify communications readiness.

This hands-on role supports mission success and post-flight analysis. You’ll develop ICDs, manage configuration data, and write Python or MATLAB scripts for telemetry processing, contributing to mission

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electronics, Communications, RF, or equivalent) required.
• Strong RF fundamentals and ability to perform basic RF analysis.
• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for data processing and analysis.
• Experience integrating and testing RF systems and operating RF test equipment (e.g., VNAs, spectrum analysers).
• Experience applying systems engineering best practices and developing documentation (requirements, design documents, test plans).
• Ability to perform under pressure and meet tight mission deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and relationship-building capability.
• Practical experience with radio communications systems.
• Understanding of modulation and coding techniques; familiarity with system-level RF analysis for spacecraft and ground stations, including link budget analysis.

Responsibilities

• Review mission requirements, trajectories, and link analyses to define optimal operational TT&C configurations.
• Support development of TT&C plans for non-standard missions.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with GNC, Flight Software, and Operations teams to ensure seamless integration.
• Develop and maintain ICDs and configuration files for RF hardware and software.
• Develop Python or MATLAB scripts to process telemetry data and support HITL data analysis.
• Review testing results to verify radio system and ground infrastructure operation; support ground station checkout and mission prep.

Skills

RF Fundamentals

Python or MATLAB

RF Testing Equipment

Systems Engineering

Communication

Radio Communications

Link Budget Analysis

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electronics, Communications, RF, or equivalent)

Tools

VNAs

Spectrum Analyzers

RF Test Equipment

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking an RF Systems Engineer I – Operations to ensure operational readiness of TT&C systems and ground stations for launch missions. You’ll work with RF, GNC, and Flight Software teams to define mission TT&C strategies, manage interfaces, and verify communications readiness.

This hands-on role supports mission success and post-flight analysis. You’ll develop ICDs, manage configuration data, and write Python or MATLAB scripts for telemetry processing, contributing to mission