Senior RF Radar Engineer I

rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior RF Radar Engineer I to lead the technical development of radar and RF systems for space applications, including SAR and space-based radar payloads. The role demands hands-on radar testing, architecture decisions, and coordination with cross-functional spacecraft teams.

You will shape radar system design, evaluate orbital effects on performance, and drive calibration strategies for flight platforms in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical or aerospace engineering.
• 5+ years of relevant space radar experience.
• Hands-on experience with space-based radar systems and mission operations.
• Strong understanding of orbital mechanics and spacecraft subsystems.
• Experience with RF systems and link budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of space-based radar systems architecture, prototyping, integration and flight development.
• Define radar performance requirements and link budgets for orbital scenarios.
• Design radar waveforms and assess processing architectures for space platforms.
• Conduct radar calibration, testing and validation for spaceborne systems.
• Collaborate with RF, digital, mechanical, thermal and software teams.

Skills

Space radar

RF system design

Waveform design

Orbital mechanics

Link budgets

Systems engineering

Education

Bachelor's in electrical or aerospace engineering

Tools

MATLAB

STK

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 RF RADAR ENGINEER I

Based at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, we are looking for a Senior RF Engineer II - Radar/RF who will be responsible for the technical development of radar and RF systems including SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and space‑based radar applications. You will drive radar system architecture, oversee RF component integration, and support hands‑on radar testing and calibration. The successful candidate will have a strong combination of radar engineering, RF systems design, and spacecraft systems experience, and will thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

System Development

• Lead technical development of space‑based radar systems including architecture design, prototyping, integration, test, and flight development
• Define and maintain radar performance requirements and link budget specifications accounting for orbital parameters
• Conduct radar payload design trades including antenna selection, waveform optimization, and processing architectures for space platforms
• Drive key technical decisions for radar modes, timing, PRF selection, and RF chain design considering orbit dynamics
• Complete radar analyses including range/Doppler resolution, SNR, ambiguity analysis, interference assessment, and orbital effects on performance
• Analyze mission requirements including orbit selection, ground track patterns, and revisit characteristics
• Develop and execute radar calibration strategies and image quality validation methods for spaceborne systems
• Support the development of radar test plans, procedures, and automated test systems
• Lead the design and development of radar GSE including calibration sources and test fixtures
• Support spacecraft integration activities and interface with bus subsystem teams (power, thermal, ADCS, data handling)
• Support the development of product documentation including ICDs, test reports, and User Manuals

Radar & RF Engineering

• Design and analyze radar waveforms for various space‑based imaging and detection applications
• Perform radar system modeling and simulation using tools such as MATLAB, STK, or custom codes including orbital propagation
• Assess and integrate COTS RF components for space‑qualified radar transmit/receive chains
• Support hands‑on radar testing including EIRP measurements, receiver sensitivity, etc.
• Interface with multidisciplinary teams including RF, digital, mechanical, thermal, structural, and software engineers

Customer/Program Support

• Review proposals and requirements specifications for space‑based radar payload opportunities
• Scope and drive development activities for new radar capabilities
• Support engineering reviews such as PDRs, CDRs and TRRs
• Provide technical support to internal/external customers including radar performance troubleshooting
• Maintain broad awareness of product development and production schedules

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Hands‑on experience with space‑based radar systems including system integration and mission operations, including imaging modes, processing, and performance assessment
• Strong understanding of orbital mechanics and spacecraft systems including how orbit parameters affect radar performance
• Working knowledge of spacecraft subsystems including power, thermal, ADCS, and their impact on radar payload design
• Strong radar system knowledge including waveform design, pulse compression, and Doppler processing
• Solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF systems including link budgets, linearity, and noise analysis
• Experience developing and deliv