Team Lead - RF Ground Segment

JobSpace; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand, is seeking an RF Team Lead – Ground Segment to own and evolve the ground-based RF systems that support launch and mission operations. You will lead a focused team of engineers and technicians, driving design, development, and real-time support for RF infrastructure.

You will act as SME and product owner for ground stations, with responsibilities spanning network architecture, modems, and mission interfaces.

Qualifications

• Proven RF leadership experience with team mentorship in fast-paced environments.
• Strong fundamentals in RF design, link budgets, and modulation/coding.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evolve Rocket Lab's ground-based RF communications and navigation systems.
• Own the ground segment; drive design, development, testing, and upgrades of ground stations and networks.
• Act as SME and product owner for ground station systems and mission interfaces.
• Collaborate across SpaceOps, engineering, and operations for end-to-end solutions.
• Mentor engineers and technicians to sustain high performance under timelines.

Skills

RF design

RF leadership

Ground segment

Python

LabVIEW

CCNA

Network architecture

Mission support

Tools

VNAs

Spectrum analysers

Ground stations

Modems

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

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 rocket has 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.

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

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.

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.

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).

Knowledge of IP networking and real-world RF system deployment.

Python or LabVIEW for test automation

Networking certifications (e.g. CCNA)

Familiarity with CCSDS standards or frequency licensing

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