RF Systems Engineer, Mission Operations & TT&C

Rocket Lab; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking an RF Systems Engineer – Operations to ensure TT&C and ground station readiness for launch campaigns. You will work with RF, GNC, Flight Software, and Operations teams to define mission TT&C strategies and manage space-to-ground interfaces, supporting mission success.

You will develop data processing scripts (Python/MATLAB), analyze HITL data, identify anomalies, and drive issue resolution while contributing to mission readiness reviews and post-flight analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent required.
• Strong RF fundamentals and basic RF analysis ability.
• Proficiency in Python or MATLAB for data processing/analysis.
• Experience with RF systems integration and RF test equipment such as VNAs and spectrum analysers.
• Experience applying systems engineering practices and creating documentation (requirements, design docs, test plans).
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight mission deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Review mission requirements, trajectories, and link analyses to define optimal TT&C configurations.
• Develop TT&C plans for non-standard missions and ensure seamless integration with other teams.
• Create and maintain ICDs and configuration files for RF hardware and software.
• Develop Python or MATLAB scripts to process telemetry data and perform HITL analyses.
• Support ground station checkout, mission preparation, and readiness reviews.
• Contribute to post-flight data analysis and continuous process improvement.

Skills

RF fundamentals

Python or MATLAB

RF test equipment

Systems engineering docs

Clear communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electronics/Communications/RF)

Tools

VNAs

Spectrum analysers

Job description

Rocket Lab is seeking an RF Systems Engineer – Operations to ensure TT&C and ground station readiness for launch campaigns. You will work with RF, GNC, Flight Software, and Operations teams to define mission TT&C strategies and manage space-to-ground interfaces, supporting mission success.

You will develop data processing scripts (Python/MATLAB), analyze HITL data, identify anomalies, and drive issue resolution while contributing to mission readiness reviews and post-flight analysis.