Head of Space Radar Payload Systems

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 269,000 - 422,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Rocket Lab seeks a Director of Radar Payload to lead end-to-end development of space-based radar payloads, including SAR systems and integration with spacecraft buses. You will guide RF, digital, mechanical, thermal, structural, and software teams, set performance metrics, and oversee mission planning and test campaigns.

The role requires 12+ years in radar systems, SAR processing, and space missions, with US citizenship and the ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field and 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 the end-to-end development of space-based radar payload systems including architecture design, prototyping, integration, test, and flight development.
• Define and maintain radar payload requirements specifications and performance metrics considering orbital parameters and mission constraints.
• Conduct radar system design trades in support of new business proposals and mission architectures including orbit selection and spacecraft impacts.
• Drive key design decisions for waveform design, antenna architecture, and signal processing chains optimized for space-based operations.
• Lead analyses including radar equation modeling for various orbits, clutter analysis, SNR, ambiguity resolution, and Doppler centroid variations.
• Oversee the development of radar calibration procedures and image quality assessment methodologies for spaceborne systems.
• Direct the integration of radar payloads with spacecraft bus systems including power budgets, thermal management, structural interfaces, and data handling architectures.
• Lead mission planning activities including ground track analysis, access time optimization, and coverage requirements.
• Lead the development of test plans, procedures, and RF/radar test campaigns.

Skills

Radar payload development

RF engineering leadership

SAR processing

Spacecraft design

Program leadership

TS/SCI clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical or aerospace engineering

Tools

Radar testing

Job description

Rocket Lab seeks a Director of Radar Payload to lead end-to-end development of space-based radar payloads, including SAR systems and integration with spacecraft buses. You will guide RF, digital, mechanical, thermal, structural, and software teams, set performance metrics, and oversee mission planning and test campaigns.

The role requires 12+ years in radar systems, SAR processing, and space missions, with US citizenship and the ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.