Senior Space Radar RF Engineer

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 132,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock Purchase Program

Equity/Stock options

Comprehensive Benefits

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation seeks a Senior RF Radar Engineer I to lead the development of space-based radar systems, including architecture, integration, testing, and flight development for SAR and spaceborne sensing applications.

You will define performance requirements, conduct payload trades, and ensure system performance under orbit dynamics, working closely with RF, digital, mechanical, thermal, and software teams. Strong collaboration and security clearances are required.

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.
• Strong understanding of orbital mechanics and spacecraft systems.
• Working knowledge of spacecraft subsystems and their impact on radar payload design.
• Strong radar system knowledge including waveform design and Doppler processing.
• Experience delivering radar/RF systems from requirements through testing for space applications.
• Proficiency with radar simulation tools and orbital analysis software.
• Experience with radar testing including range measurements and RF performance characterization.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical development of space-based radar systems including architecture design, prototyping, integration, test, and flight development.
• Define radar performance requirements and link budgets considering orbital parameters.
• Conduct radar payload design trades including antenna selection and waveform optimization.
• Drive decisions for radar modes, timing, PRF, and RF chain design for orbit dynamics.
• Perform radar analyses including range, Doppler, SNR, and orbital effects on performance.
• Develop radar calibration strategies and image quality validation methods for spaceborne systems.
• Support development of radar test plans, procedures, and automated test systems.
• Lead design and development of radar GSE and calibration sources.
• Coordinate with bus subsystem teams (power, thermal, ADCS) during integration.
• Create ICDs, test reports, and user manuals for radar products.
• Model radar waveforms and simulate with MATLAB/STK or equivalent.
• Assess and integrate COTS RF components for space-qualified chains.

Skills

Radar Systems

RF Systems

Orbital Mechanics

Waveform Design

Link Budgets

Testing & Calibration

GSE Development

MATLAB/STK

Spacecraft Ops

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical or aerospace engineering

Tools

MATLAB

STK

Job description

Rocket Lab Corporation seeks a Senior RF Radar Engineer I to lead the development of space-based radar systems, including architecture, integration, testing, and flight development for SAR and spaceborne sensing applications.

You will define performance requirements, conduct payload trades, and ensure system performance under orbit dynamics, working closely with RF, digital, mechanical, thermal, and software teams. Strong collaboration and security clearances are required.