Senior RF Mission Architect for Space Payloads

Rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock purchase program

Onsite fitness centers

Employee discounts

Snacks and beverages

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Senior RF Mission Architect to lead early mission trades and design high-performance payloads for tactical satcom, space-based sensing, and direct-to-cell constellations. You will own technical concepts across link budgets, antenna architectures, SWaP-C constraints, and coordinate with payload, software and spacecraft teams to ensure buildable, flight-ready designs.

Requirements include a Bachelor's in EE/AE, 5+ years in aerospace/defense RF, and Active

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or aerospace engineering or related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace or defense RF systems.
• Demonstrated track record architecting complex RF, SAR/radar, or digital payloads from concept to proposal win.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Architect Clean-Sheet Payloads: Run early mission trades and define payload topologies.
• Drive Technical Capture: Frame complex RF trade-offs with customers and leadership.
• Shape the Hardware Roadmap: Influence R&D and technology investments.
• Bridge Concept to Flight: Ensure architectures are buildable and flight-ready.

Skills

Active TS/SCI clearance

5+ years RF systems experience

Systems architecture

Technical storytelling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical or aerospace engineering

Tools

STK

MATLAB

Python

HFSS

CST

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Senior RF Mission Architect to lead early mission trades and design high-performance payloads for tactical satcom, space-based sensing, and direct-to-cell constellations. You will own technical concepts across link budgets, antenna architectures, SWaP-C constraints, and coordinate with payload, software and spacecraft teams to ensure buildable, flight-ready designs.

Requirements include a Bachelor's in EE/AE, 5+ years in aerospace/defense RF, and Active