Director of Space-Based Radar Payloads

rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Director, RF Payloads to lead the development of advanced radar payloads for space missions. You will oversee architecture, integration, testing, and flight development, guiding a team of RF engineers.

The role focuses on SAR processing, waveform design, and mission performance within a fast-paced environment. The candidate will manage multidisciplinary teams, support proposals, and interface with customers and mission stakeholders to ensure radar systems

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 12+ years in radar systems development.
• Hands-on experience delivering radar systems from requirements to operations.
• Deep SAR imaging knowledge and processing for space platforms.
• Experience with space-based radar in LEO/MEO/GEO configurations.
• Strong orbital mechanics and spacecraft design understanding.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development of space-based radar payload systems from architecture to flight.
• Define radar payload requirements and performance metrics under orbital constraints.
• Conduct system design trades for new missions and waveform/antenna choices.
• Oversee calibration procedures and image quality assessment for spaceborne radar.
• Direct integration of radar payloads with spacecraft bus, power, and data systems.
• Lead mission planning activities and RF test campaigns.

Skills

Radar systems

SAR processing

Orbital mechanics

Spacecraft design

System architecture

Technical leadership

Proposal experience

Customer interface

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/Aerospace

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Director, RF Payloads to lead the development of advanced radar payloads for space missions. You will oversee architecture, integration, testing, and flight development, guiding a team of RF engineers.

The role focuses on SAR processing, waveform design, and mission performance within a fast-paced environment. The candidate will manage multidisciplinary teams, support proposals, and interface with customers and mission stakeholders to ensure radar systems