Senior RF Engineer II – Radar
Based at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, we are looking for a Senior RF Engineer II - Radar/RF who will be responsible for the technical development of radar and RF systems including SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and space-based radar applications. You will drive radar system architecture, oversee RF component integration, and support hands-on radar testing and calibration. The successful candidate will have a strong combination of radar engineering, RF systems design, and spacecraft systems experience, and will thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
What You'll Get To Do:
- Lead technical development of space-based radar systems including architecture design, prototyping, integration, test, and flight development
- Define and maintain radar performance requirements and link budget specifications accounting for orbital parameters
- Conduct radar payload design trades including antenna selection, waveform optimization, and processing architectures for space platforms
- Drive key technical decisions for radar modes, timing, PRF selection, and RF chain design considering orbit dynamics
- Complete radar analyses including range/Doppler resolution, SNR, ambiguity analysis, interference assessment, and orbital effects on performance
- Analyze mission requirements including orbit selection, ground track patterns, and revisit characteristics
- Develop and execute radar calibration strategies and image quality validation methods for spaceborne systems
- Support the development of radar test plans, procedures, and automated test systems
- Lead the design and development of radar GSE including calibration sources and test fixtures
- Support spacecraft integration activities and interface with bus subsystem teams (power, thermal, ADCS, data handling)
- Support the development of product documentation including ICDs, test reports, and User Manuals
Radar & RF Engineering:
- Design and analyze radar waveforms for various space-based imaging and detection applications
- Perform radar system modeling and simulation using tools such as MATLAB, STK, or custom codes including orbital propagation
- Assess and integrate COTS RF components for space-qualified radar transmit/receive chains
- Support hands-on radar testing including EIRP measurements, receiver sensitivity, etc.
- Interface with multidisciplinary teams including RF, digital, mechanical, thermal, structural, and software engineers
Customer/Program Support:
- Review proposals and requirements specifications for space-based radar payload opportunities
- Scope and drive development activities for new radar capabilities
- Support engineering reviews such as PDRs, CDRs and TRRs
- Provide technical support to internal/external customers including radar performance troubleshooting
- Maintain broad awareness of product development and production schedules
You'll Bring These Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field
- 8+ years of relevant experience
- Hands-on experience with space-based radar systems including system integration and mission operations, including imaging modes, processing, and performance assessment
- Strong understanding of orbital mechanics and spacecraft systems including how orbit parameters affect radar performance
- Working knowledge of spacecraft subsystems including power, thermal, ADCS, and their impact on radar payload design
- Strong radar system knowledge including waveform design, pulse compression, and Doppler processing
- Solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF systems including link budgets, linearity, and noise analysis
- Experience developing and 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
These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have:
- Existing DoD TS/SCI clearance
- Extensive experience in space-grade radar system design and environmental testing
- Knowledge of advanced SAR techniques (GMTI, InSAR, polarimetry) for space platforms