Senior Space-Based Radar Engineer II

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 152,000 - 253,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Medical plans

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick time

11 paid holidays

Flexible spending accounts

Parental leave

Disability and life insurance

401(k) with company match

EV charging subsidy

Onsite fitness centers

Discounted gym memberships

Snacks and beverages

50% merch store discount

Other employee discounts

Job summary

Rocket Lab, a leader in space technology, seeks a Senior RF Radar Engineer II for radar/system design of space-based payloads. Based in Long Beach, CA, you will guide architecture, testing, and calibration of radar systems for orbiting platforms.

You will work with teams across RF, digital, mechanical, thermal, ADCS, and software to deliver high-performance radar solutions, with strong emphasis on mission requirements and orbital dynamics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in electrical or aerospace engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of relevant RF/radar experience for space applications.
• Proven hands-on radar design, integration, testing, and mission operations.
• Strong understanding of orbital mechanics and spacecraft subsystems.
• Experience with radar waveform design, processing, and Doppler concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of space-based radar systems from architecture to flight development.
• Define radar performance requirements and link budgets for orbital parameters.
• Trade studies on antenna, waveform, and processing for space platforms.
• Drive radar mode, timing, and RF chain design considering orbit dynamics.
• Perform range, Doppler, SNR, and orbital effect analyses for radar payloads.
• Develop radar calibration strategies and validate image quality for spaceborne systems.
• Create radar test plans, procedures, and automated test systems.
• Interface with multidisciplinary teams across RF, digital, mechanical, and software.

Skills

8+ years experience

Hands-on radar systems

Orbital mechanics understanding

RF systems proficiency

Radar waveform design

Radar testing experience

DoD TS/SCI readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical or aerospace engineering

Job description

Rocket Lab, a leader in space technology, seeks a Senior RF Radar Engineer II for radar/system design of space-based payloads. Based in Long Beach, CA, you will guide architecture, testing, and calibration of radar systems for orbiting platforms.

You will work with teams across RF, digital, mechanical, thermal, ADCS, and software to deliver high-performance radar solutions, with strong emphasis on mission requirements and orbital dynamics.