Senior RF Systems Engineer — Satellite Payloads & Radar

Rocketlab; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid vacation & holidays

Parental leave

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Senior RF Systems Engineer – Mission Formulation with a SECRET clearance to lead the development of advanced RF payload systems for next-generation satellite platforms.

You will drive payload requirements, perform link budgets and RF performance analyses, coordinate with spacecraft subsystems, and support business captures across civil, national security, and commercial missions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in aerospace or defense RF systems.
• Experience supporting satellite payload development, space-based radar, or satellite communications systems.
• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Lead RF payload engineering formulation supporting business development and new opportunity capture across communications, radar, and other sensing missions.
• Develop and maintain RF link budgets and performance analyses (uplink/downlink, radar equation, interference).
• Define payload requirements and verification strategies; develop simulations for RF system performance.
• Lead payload integration and test methods; coordinate with spacecraft subsystems (power, thermal, ADCS, C&DH).
• Assist with program and product management for payload-focused programs.

Skills

RF payload engineering

RF link budgets

Simulation & analysis

Payload integration & test

Radar concepts

5G NTN & communications

Passive RF sensing

STK/MATLAB/Python

RF front-end design

payload architectures

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical / aerospace engineering

Tools

STK

MATLAB

Python

HFSS

CST

Job description

Rocket Lab in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Senior RF Systems Engineer – Mission Formulation with a SECRET clearance to lead the development of advanced RF payload systems for next-generation satellite platforms.

You will drive payload requirements, perform link budgets and RF performance analyses, coordinate with spacecraft subsystems, and support business captures across civil, national security, and commercial missions.