RF Radar Engineer I

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company that builds rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that help keep the world connected and protected, and that extend humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The team moves fast, builds real hardware for meaningful missions, and makes the impossible routine.

Space Systems

The Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and the components and subsystems that let them operate in space, such as solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.

The team has supported more than 1,700 missions, from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. Its work includes spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

RF Radar Engineer I

Based at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, this role supports the development of radar and RF systems, including SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and space-based radar applications. You will work alongside experienced radar engineers on radar subsystems, analysis and simulation, and hands-on testing and integration. The ideal candidate has foundational knowledge of radar systems, RF engineering principles, and basic orbital mechanics and spacecraft systems, and does well in a fast-paced environment.

What You'll Do

System Development Support

• Support development of space-based radar systems, including architecture, prototyping, integration, test, and flight development
• Assist with radar link budget analysis and performance modeling that accounts for orbital parameters
• Run radar system simulations using MATLAB, Python, or specialized radar tools, including basic orbital analysis
• Support radar design trades for waveforms, timing, PRF selection, and RF component selection for space applications
• Perform radar calculations such as range/Doppler resolution, SNR, coverage analysis, and basic orbital effects
• Assist with mission analysis, including ground track visualization, access time calculations, and revisit analysis
• Help develop test plans and procedures for radar payload testing
• Support radar calibration and image quality assessments
• Help write technical documentation such as test reports, analysis summaries, and ICDs
• Learn spacecraft integration considerations, including power budgets, thermal interfaces, and data handling requirements
• Support radar waveform design and analysis for space-based missions
• Take part in hands-on radar testing, including EIRP, sensitivity, and imaging tests
• Support RF component testing and characterization for space qualification
• Assist with radar data collection and post-processing
• Work with multidisciplinary teams including RF, digital, systems, and spacecraft engineers
• Learn space-based radar best practices under the mentorship of senior engineers

Customer and Program Support

• Assist with review of radar requirements and specifications
• Support proposal development with technical analysis and documentation
• Take part in engineering reviews and technical meetings
• Provide technical support for radar-related questions and troubleshooting
• Track product development schedules and deliverables

Physical Requirements

This position may require prolonged sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

What to Expect

The team works to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth. The work takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and a commitment to achieving what others consider impossible. Team members look out for each other, leave egos aside, and focus on how to deliver under tight deadlines.

Benefits

In addition to base pay, employees receive company stock as part of total compensation, with an opportunity for that ownership to grow alongside the company. Benefits include an Employee Stock Purchase Program (15% discount on company stock), HMO, PPO, and zero cost HDHP medical options with an 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) with company match.

Other perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, a 50% employee discount on the merch store, and other employee discounts.

Export Control and Equal Opportunity

To comply with U.S. space technology export regulations, including ITAR, employees working in U.S. offices must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees or asylees admitted to the U.S., or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected characteristic.