Senior Manager, Signal Processing

Rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab based onsite at Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Manager, Signal Processing to lead algorithm development for next‑gen digital payloads, including radar payloads, modems and network processors. The DSP Algorithms Lead will take the design from initial concept through inflight operations.

The role combines DSP knowledge with system design in a fast‑paced environment and requires strong leadership to drive engineering processes, program schedules, and cross‑functional collaboration

Qualifications

• Strong DSP knowledge and system design.
• Experience leading engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Define appropriate engineering processes for new algorithms development including activities, milestones and engineering reviews, ensuring general compliance with best practice systems engineering process
• Support the development and maintenance of program schedules
• Task, support and monitor engineers throughout the engineering process
• Ensure engineering process and associated documentation products are traceable from requirements through design, implementation and verification
• Set technical roadmap for the development of DSP algorithms
• Design, develop, and optimize DSP algorithms for signal processing tasks such as filtering, modulation, demodulation, compression, noise reduction, and feature extraction.
• Architect the digital product design
• Lead the development process, ensuring key design decisions and developments are in alignment with the required product capabilities
• Lead the development of test plans and procedures
• Lead the design and development of GSE and production automation
• Support the development of product documentation including ICDs and User Manuals
• Liaise with hardware design, FPGA, and software engineers to design, build, test, and deliver a completed product
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in DSP technologies and methodologies
• Implement solutions to improve system performance and efficiency
• Liase with customers and program team in support of current programs and new business proposals
• Review proposals and requirements specifications to assess compliance based on existing unit capabilities vs development needs
• Scope and drive development activities for new requirements

Skills

DSP algorithms

System design

Engineering management

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

FPGA

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR MANAGER, SIGNAL PROCESSING

Based onsite at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Manager, Signal Processing is responsible for the algorithm development for new digital payload products including advanced radar payloads (Synthetic Aperture Radar and space-based radar systems), modems, processors, and network routers. The DSP Algorithms Lead will take the design from initial concept through inflight operations. The successful candidate will have a strong combination of DSP knowledge and system design, and will thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

Engineering Management

• Define appropriate engineering processes for new algorithms development including activities, milestones and engineering reviews, ensuring general compliance with best practice systems engineering process
• Support the development and maintenance of program schedules
• Task, support and monitor engineers throughout the engineering process
• Ensure engineering process and associated documentation products are traceable from requirements through design, implementation and verification

Algorithms Development

• Set technical roadmap for the development of DSP algorithms
• Design, develop, and optimize DSP algorithms for signal processing tasks such as filtering, modulation, demodulation, compression, noise reduction, and feature extraction.
• Architect the digital product design
• Lead the development process, ensuring key design decisions and developments are in alignment with the required product capabilities
• Lead the development of test plans and procedures
• Lead the design and development of GSE and production automation
• Support the development of product documentation including ICDs and User Manuals
• Liaise with hardware design, FPGA, and software engineers to design, build, test, and deliver a completed product
• Stay updated with the latest advancements in DSP technologies and methodologies
• Implement solutions to improve system performance and efficiency

Customer/Program Support

• Liase with customers and program team in support of current programs and new business proposals
• Review proposals and requirements specifications to assess compliance based on existing unit capabilities vs development needs
• Scope and drive development activities for new requirements Wait, there is an error due to incorrectly formatted JSON; continue full string.