Team Lead - RF Ground Segment

Rocket Lab Corporation; Auckland; On-site; NZD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Impactful missions

Team ownership & autonomy

Fast-paced environment

Challenging engineering problems

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Auckland seeks an RF Team Lead – Ground Segment to own and evolve the ground segment behind our launch and space systems. You’ll lead a tight-knit team of engineers and technicians, driving the design, development, and operation of ground-based RF communications and navigation systems.

You’ll sit at the intersection of engineering excellence and operational delivery, moving fast to solve hard problems and influence mission success through RF expertise and collaboration with

Qualifications

• Proven RF leadership experience with mentoring teams under fast timelines.
• Strong RF fundamentals: link budgets, cascaded analysis, modulation/coding.
• Experience with RF test and verification equipment and methods.
• Solid systems engineering mindset: requirements, validation, documentation.
• Knowledge of IP networking and real-world RF deployment.

Responsibilities

• Set direction, coach performance, and build capability in a team responsible for critical RF infrastructure.
• Act as SME and product owner for ground station systems covering RF performance and interfaces.
• Drive development, commissioning, and upgrades of ground stations and networks.
• Partner with SpaceOps to prepare for missions and ensure system readiness.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and program teams to deliver end-to-end solutions.
• Contribute to strategic RF projects and roadmap new capabilities.

Skills

RF leadership

RF design fundamentals

RF testing

Systems engineering

IP networking

CCNA (nice-to-have)

CCSDS standards knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field

Tools

VNAs

Spectrum analysers

System-level testing

CCNA certification (nice-to-have)

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rockethas become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

At Rocket Lab, we don’t just launch rockets - we build the systems that connect them to Earth. From mission-critical communications to global ground networks, our RF team keeps every launch and satellite linked, locked, and performing.

RF Team Lead – Ground Segment

We’re looking for an RF Team Lead – Ground Segment to take ownership of the systems that make mission success possible.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

This is more than a leadership role - it’s your chance to own and evolve the ground segment behind our launch and space systems.

You’ll lead a tight-knit team of engineers and technicians, driving the design, development, and operation of Rocket Lab’s ground-based RF communications and navigation systems. From ground stations and network architecture to mission readiness and real-time support, you’ll sit at the intersection of engineering excellence and operational delivery.

Expect to move fast, solve hard problems, and make decisions that directly impact missions.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Set direction, coach performance, and build capability in a team responsible for critical RF infrastructure.
• Act as the SME and product owner for ground station systems, covering RF performance, network architecture, modems, and mission interfaces.
• Drive development, commissioning, and upgrades of ground stations and global networks.
• Partner with SpaceOps to prepare for missions, support operations, and ensure systems are ready when it counts.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and program teams, plus external ground station providers, to deliver end-to-end solutions.
• Contribute to strategic projects, roadmap new capabilities, and support business development with RF expertise.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proven RF leadership experience, with the ability to mentor and engage teams while consistently delivering under fast-paced, high-pressure timelines.
• Strong fundamentals in RF design: link budgets, cascaded analysis, modulation/coding.
• Experience with RF test and verification (VNAs, spectrum analysers, system-level testing).
• Solid systems engineering mindset - requirements, validation, documentation.
• Knowledge of IP networking and real-world RF system deployment.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Python or LabVIEW for test automation
• Networking certifications (e.g. CCNA)
• Familiarity with CCSDS standards or frequency licensing

WHY ROCKET LAB:

• Work on systems that directly support real missions to space
• Lead a team with meaningful ownership and autonomy
• Be part of a company that moves fast and builds what others only design
• Tackle complex, high-impact engineering challenges every day

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States’ International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.