Senior RF Phased Array Engineer II

Rocket Lab Corp.; Long Beach, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 174,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corp. in Long Beach, CA, is seeking a Senior RF Phased Array Engineer II to lead the development and testing of advanced RF products and phased arrays. You will model antenna performance and guide an interdisciplinary team to deliver space-grade hardware for mission-critical programs.

The role emphasizes end-to-end design, production transition, and strong collaboration with vendors and customers, within a fast-paced aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or equivalent with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong RF knowledge including link budget analysis and linearity.
• Experience modeling antenna and phased array performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end RF product development from design to flight.
• Model and simulate array performance.
• Lead interdisciplinary team of RF, digital, power, mechanical, thermal, and structural engineers.
• Transition developments to production.
• Interface with vendors and customers.
• Develop test plans for active antennas (EIRP & G/T).
• Support product documentation including ICDs and User Manuals.

Skills

RF knowledge

Antenna modeling

Phased array design

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Production transition

Education

Bachelors in EE

Job description

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.

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.

RF PHASED ARRAY ENGINEER SENIOR II

Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior RF Phased Array Engineer is the technical lead responsible for the development of new RF products and systems (including Rocket Lab’s phased arrays) and assessment of COTS components. The Senior RF Phased Array Engineer will model and simulate antenna performance for current programs and proposals. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of antennas at the component and system level and will thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

Product Development

• Lead end to end efforts including architecture design, prototyping, integration, test, and flight development – Ensure key design decisions and developments are in alignment with product / system needs
• Model and simulate array performance
• Lead efforts along side an interdisciplinary team of RF, digital, power, mechanical, thermal, and structural engineers
• Transition developments from new product introduction to production
• Interface with vendors and customers
• Develop test plans and procedures for testing active antennas – included EIRP & G/T
• Design and development of GSE and production automation
• Support the development of product documentation including ICDs and User Manuals

Customer/Program Support

• Drive proposals and requirements specifications to assess compliance based on existing unit capabilities vs development needs
• Scope and drive development activities for new requirements
• Support engineering reviews such as PDRs, CDRs and TRRs
• Provide technical support to internal/external customers including general questions and anomaly troubleshooting
• Maintain broad awareness of product development and production schedules to ensure the needs of customers and programs are satisfied

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR RF PHASED ARRAY ENGINEER II:

• Bachelors degree in electrical engineering, RF communications (or an equivalent qualification) and 8+ years of relevant experience
• Fundamental RF knowledge including link budget analysis and linearity.
• A solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF communications and navigation systems and components
• Experience running modeling and simulation of antenna / phased array performance.
• Deep understanding of the effects of interference on the system.
• Experience in developing and delivering a RF system including assessing requirements, prototyping engineering models, and producing space worthy products.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Extensive experience in space grade system design
• Extensive experience in analyses including worst case, reliability, FMECA, thermal, and derating analyses
• Extensive experience supporting and leading complex engineering programs and developing associated documentation
• Experience designing, integrating, and testing RF communications systems for launch vehicles or satellites
• Demonstrated expertise in mentoring others.
• Experience leading incident management and investigations.
• Experience in conflict resolution and dealing with difficult people.
• The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Effective communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$174,300 — $269,875 USD

$141,800 — $212,600 USD

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out‑think, out‑work, and out‑pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here .

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.