Senior RF Test Engineer I

Rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity grant

Company stock

Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)

Medical coverage

Dental & Vision coverage

Paid time off

401(k) with company match

Merchandise discounts

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Senior RF Test Engineer I to build and run test programs for RF subsystems and satellite payloads. You will design and automate test tools, support space flight hardware development, and help improve testability and manufacturability across programs.

The role requires a Bachelor's in EE, 5+ years in RF development/testing, and US citizenship. The position offers competitive base pay and a comprehensive benefits package, with equity participation and stock

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience with RF hardware development and RF testing.
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop RF test plans for RF subsystems and payloads.
• Manage and conduct Acceptance, Qualification and Proto-Flight test programs on RF systems.
• Design, procure and assemble automated test tools for RF subsystems.
• Support the design and development of space flight hardware to increase testability and manufacturability.
• Contribute to development of engineering and business processes to support Rocket Lab growth.

Skills

RF engineering

RF testing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

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 TEST ENGINEER I

We’re currently seekingan Senior RF Test Engineer I forour global headquarters in Long Beach, CA. This team is responsible for building the tools and process to test satellite RF subsystems and our line of radio products.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Develop RF test plans for RF subsystems and payloads.
• Manage and conduct Acceptance, Qualification and Proto-Flight test programs on RF systems.
• Design, procure and assemble automated test tools for RF subsystems.
• Support the design and development of space flight hardware to increase the level of testability and manufacturability
• Contribute to the development of engineering and business processes, including engineering and test processes, as well as other business processes to support Rocket Lab growth and capability
• Contribute to the development of engineering best practice areas such as test, design for manufacture and engineering change management.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related technical discipline
• 5+ years of experience with RF hardware development and RF testing
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Understanding of electrical test equipment, test procedures, data acquisition systems and instrumentation
• Understanding of designing hardware from concept through production
• Experience in environmental design testing, such as vibration, shock, thermal, and TVAC
• Project/program management skills

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)

$144,275 — $206,175 USD

Base Salary

$124,000 — $170,500 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 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.