Head of Space-Based Radar Payload

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

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Medical, dental, vision plans

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Rocket Lab, based in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Director of Radar Payload to lead the development of advanced spaceborne radar payloads, including SAR systems. You will oversee design, integration, and testing while guiding RF engineers and cross-functional teams.

The role requires extensive radar system experience, SAR processing, and spacecraft integration expertise. U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance are required. A dynamic, fast-paced environment awaits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field; 12+ years of relevant experience.
• Extensive hands-on experience developing and delivering radar systems from requirements through mission operations.
• Deep knowledge of SAR imaging modes (stripmap, spotlight, ScanSAR, TOPS) and processing algorithms for space-based platforms.
• Demonstrated experience with space-based radar systems including LEO, MEO, or GEO configurations.
• Expert-level understanding of orbital mechanics and how orbit parameters affect radar performance including revisit time, coverage, and resolution.
• Strong knowledge of spacecraft design principles including power systems, thermal control, attitude determination and control, and data handling.
• Expert-level understanding of radar systems including waveform design, pulse compression, Doppler processing, and clutter mitigation.
• Proven track record leading complex spaceborne radar payload development programs.
• Experience with radar payload testing including EIRP, sensitivity, range-Doppler response, and image quality metrics.
• Understanding of launch environment requirements and space qualification processes.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS / SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end development of space-based radar payload systems from architecture to flight development.
• Define and maintain radar payload requirements specifications and performance metrics.
• Conduct radar system design trades for new proposals and mission architectures.
• Drive waveform design, antenna architecture, and signal processing chain decisions.
• Lead analyses like radar equation modeling, clutter analysis, and Doppler variations.
• Oversee radar calibration procedures and image quality assessment for spaceborne systems.
• Direct radar payload integration with spacecraft bus systems, including power and thermal budgets.
• Lead mission planning activities, ground track analysis, and coverage requirements.
• Develop test plans and RF/radar test campaigns and review results.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to radar and RF teams.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams for radar efforts across RF, digital, mechanical, and software.

Skills

Radar payload

SAR processing

RF engineering

Space systems

Leadership

Spacecraft integration

Orbit mechanics

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

SAR software

Job description

Rocket Lab, based in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Director of Radar Payload to lead the development of advanced spaceborne radar payloads, including SAR systems. You will oversee design, integration, and testing while guiding RF engineers and cross-functional teams.

The role requires extensive radar system experience, SAR processing, and spacecraft integration expertise. U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance are required. A dynamic, fast-paced environment awaits.