Senior RF Systems Engineer II Pipeline

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 213,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)

Industry-leading medical plans

Dental & Vision coverage

Paid vacation and holidays

401(k) with company match

EV charging subsidy

Onsite fitness centers

Discounted merch

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Senior RF Systems Engineer II to support development of RF products and payload TT&C subsystems. You will implement RF designs, test, and contribute to mission support in a fast-paced environment.

The role requires丰富 RF engineering experience, system design, and hands-on testing, plus ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for program access.

Qualifications

• RF knowledge including link budget analysis and linearity.
• Theoretical and practical understanding of RF communications and navigation systems.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain requirements specifications.
• Conduct payload design trades for new proposals.
• Drive development process and key design decisions.
• Complete analyses to support design needs.
• Develop test plans and procedures.
• Develop GSE and production automation.
• Create product documentation (ICDs, User Manuals).
• Review proposals against capabilities and development needs.
• Lead technical reviews (PDRs, CDRs, TRRs).
• Provide technical support to customers and internal teams.

Skills

RF knowledge

Link budget analysis

RF communications

Navigation systems

ITS/DSN constraints

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Test equipment

Satellite ops

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 SYSTEMS ENGINEER II PIPELINE

Based at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, we are looking for a Senior RF Systems Engineer II for a future opening who will be responsible for supporting the development of new RF products including components and systems. You will develop the payload and TT&C subsystems and support hands‑on RF payload testing. The successful candidate will have a strong combination of RF engineering, system design, and system test experience, and will thrive in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.

What You’ll Get To Do

System Development

• Define and maintain requirements specifications
• Conduct payload design trades in support of new business proposals
• Drive the development process, making key design decisions and trades
• Complete analyses in support of design needs
• Support the development of test plans and procedures
• Support the design and development of GSE and production automation
• Support the development of product documentation including ICDs and User Manuals

Customer/Program Support

• Review 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 SYSTEMS ENGINEER II

• Bachelors degree in electrical engineering, RF communications (or other engineering degree) and 8+ years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated RF knowledge including link budget analysis and linearity.
• A solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF communications and navigation systems and components.
• Can account for ITU constraints e.g. PFD limits and DSN protection.
• End to end experience in developing and delivering multiple RF systems including assessing requirements, prototyping engineering models, producing space worthy products, and mission support.
• Detailed knowledge in the areas of satellite operations, RF licensing and ground station networks will have been obtained and demonstrated.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements
• Ability to obtain a TS / SCI clearance

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have

• Existing TS / SCI clearance
• 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
• Project management experience

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.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock‑price performance. Join one of the world’s fastest‑growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you’ll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company. Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry‑leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top‑tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts. Level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total Compensation (base and equity): $174,300 USD - $269,875 USD

Base Salary: $141,800 USD - $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.

Important Information

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.