Director, Space Radar Payload & SAR Systems

Rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 198,000 - 422,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity opportunity

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Industry-leading medical plans

Dental & vision coverage

Paid vacation & holidays

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Director, Radar Payload to lead the development of space-based radar payloads (SAR) and oversee RF engineers. You will drive architecture, tests, and integration for high-performance space missions. The role requires 12+ years in radar payloads, SAR expertise, orbital mechanics knowledge, and U.S.

citizenship with ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance. This is a hands-on technical leadership position within our Space Systems team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or aerospace engineering.
• 12+ years of radar payload experience.
• Experience with SAR imaging modes and processing.
• Space-based radar systems knowledge (LEO/MEO/GEO).
• Orbital mechanics expertise and impact on radar performance.
• Radar waveform design and Doppler processing.
• Leadership experience managing radar/RF teams.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end space-based radar payload development from architecture to flight.
• Define radar payload requirements and performance metrics.
• Conduct radar system design trades for new missions.
• Drive waveform and antenna architecture decisions.
• Oversee radar calibration, image quality, and testing.
• Lead proposal efforts and interface with customers.
• Mentor RF engineering teams and coordinate cross-disciplinary teams.

Skills

Radar payload development

SAR imaging modes

Space-based radar

Orbital mechanics

Spacecraft design principles

Waveform design & Doppler

Leadership & mentoring

US citizenship / TS-SCI eligibility

System-level radar testing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in EE / aerospace

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Director, Radar Payload to lead the development of space-based radar payloads (SAR) and oversee RF engineers. You will drive architecture, tests, and integration for high-performance space missions. The role requires 12+ years in radar payloads, SAR expertise, orbital mechanics knowledge, and U.S.

citizenship with ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance. This is a hands-on technical leadership position within our Space Systems team.