Senior Space Radar RF Engineer (SAR) Lead

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

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Medical plans

Dental and Vision

Paid time off

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Rocket Lab, based in Long Beach, CA, is hiring a Senior RF Radar Engineer I to lead the development of radar and RF systems for space applications. The role emphasizes system architecture, radar payload design, and hands-on testing in a fast-paced environment.

The candidate will define performance requirements, conduct analyses, and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams across spacecraft subsystems, with a focus on SAR and space-based radar technologies.

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 radar payload design.
• Knowledge of RF systems including link budgets, noise analysis, and waveform design.
• Experience delivering radar/RF systems from requirements through testing for space applications.
• 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 and RF chain design with orbit dynamics.
• Perform radar analyses including range, Doppler, SNR, and orbital effects on performance.
• Develop radar calibration strategies and image quality validation for spaceborne systems.
• Support radar test plans and automated testing systems.
• Lead radar GSE design and development including calibration sources and fixtures.
• Support spacecraft integration and interface with subsystems.

Skills

Radar systems

RF design

Orbital mechanics

Link budgets

Spacecraft systems

U.S. citizenship

DoD TS/SCI clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE

Job description

Rocket Lab, based in Long Beach, CA, is hiring a Senior RF Radar Engineer I to lead the development of radar and RF systems for space applications. The role emphasizes system architecture, radar payload design, and hands-on testing in a fast-paced environment.

The candidate will define performance requirements, conduct analyses, and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams across spacecraft subsystems, with a focus on SAR and space-based radar technologies.