Senior RF Mission Architect — Space Systems

Rocket Lab - Events; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock purchase program

EV charging subsidy

Onsite fitness centers

Employee discounts

Job summary

Rocket Lab seeks a Senior RF Mission Architect based in Long Beach, CA, with ownership of core payload concepts for defense and commercial missions. Lead early trades, define payload topologies, and balance RF architectures within SWaP-C constraints.

You will collaborate across payload hardware, software, spacecraft teams, and customer stakeholders to craft winning technical narratives for proposals and future mission plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in aerospace or defense RF systems.
• Demonstrated track record architecting complex multi-function RF, SAR/radar, or digital communication payloads from concept to proposal win.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain a 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 and defend design choices in proposals.
• Shape the Hardware Roadmap: influence internal R&D, prototyping, and investments.
• Bridge Concept to Flight: ensure architectures are buildable and transition to flight.

Skills

RF systems

Mission architecture

Trade studies

Customer engagement

Clear communicator

Education

Bachelor’s degree in EE or Aerospace

Advanced degree in RF/microwave or related field

Tools

STK

MATLAB

Python

HFSS

CST

Job description

Rocket Lab seeks a Senior RF Mission Architect based in Long Beach, CA, with ownership of core payload concepts for defense and commercial missions. Lead early trades, define payload topologies, and balance RF architectures within SWaP-C constraints.

You will collaborate across payload hardware, software, spacecraft teams, and customer stakeholders to craft winning technical narratives for proposals and future mission plans.