Director, RF Payloads

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

DIRECTOR, RF PAYLOADS

Based at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, we are looking for a Director, RF Payload who will be responsible for leading the development of advanced radar payloads including SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and space-based radar systems. You will oversee the design, integration, and testing of radar payload subsystems and lead a team of RF engineers. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in radar system development, SAR processing, spaceborne radar missions, and payload integration, and will thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

System Leadership & Development

• Lead the end-to-end development of space-based radar payload systems including architecture design, prototyping, integration, test, and flight development – Ensure key design decisions and developments are in alignment with product / system needs
• Define and maintain radar payload requirements specifications and performance metrics considering orbital parameters and mission constraints
• Conduct radar system design trades in support of new business proposals and mission architectures including orbit selection and spacecraft impacts
• Drive key design decisions for waveform design, antenna architecture, and signal processing chains optimized for space-based operations
• Lead analyses including radar equation modeling for various orbits, clutter analysis, SNR, ambiguity resolution, and Doppler centroid variations
• Oversee the development of radar calibration procedures and image quality assessment methodologies for spaceborne systems
• Direct the integration of radar payloads with spacecraft bus systems including power budgets, thermal management, structural interfaces, and data handling architectures
• Lead mission planning activities including ground track analysis, access time optimization, and coverage requirements
• Lead the development of test plans, procedures, and RF/radar test campaigns

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to radar and RF engineering teams
• Lead multidisciplinary teams for radar efforts including RF, digital, mechanical, thermal, structural, and software engineers
• Drive innovation in space-based radar payload design and performance optimization
• Support the development of GSE, calibration targets, and production automation
• Develop product documentation including ICDs, ConOps, and User Manuals
• Guide spacecraft-level design decisions to optimize radar payload performance

Customer/Program Support

• Lead proposal efforts and requirements assessments for space-based radar payload opportunities
• Interface with customers, government agencies, and mission stakeholders
• Lead engineering reviews such as SRRs, PDRs, CDRs, and TRRs
• Provide expert technical support for radar system anomaly resolution
• Maintain awareness of program schedules and ensure customer needs are satisfied

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or related field and 12+ years of relevant experience
• Extensive hands-on experience developing and delivering radar systems from requirements through mission operations
• Deep knowledge of SAR imaging modes (stripmap, spotlight, ScanSAR, TOPS) and processing algorithms for space-based platforms
• Demonstrated experience with space-based radar systems including LEO, MEO, or GEO configurations
• Expert-level understanding of orbital mechanics and how orbit parameters affect radar performance including revisit time, coverage, and resolution
• Strong knowledge of spacecraft design principles including power systems, thermal control, attitude determination and control, and data handling
• Expert-level understanding of radar systems including waveform design, pulse compression, Doppler processing, and clutter mitigation
• Proven track record leading complex spaceborne radar payload development programs
• Experience with radar payload testing including EIRP, sensitivity, range-Doppler response, and image quality metrics
• Understanding of launch environment requirements and space qualification processes
• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience
• U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements
• Ability to obtain and maintain a TS / SCI clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Existing TS / SCI clearance
• Experience with advanced SAR techniques (GMTI, InSAR, polarimetry, bistatic SAR) from space platforms
• Knowledge of radar image processing, autofocus algorithms, and exploitation tools for spaceborne data
• Experience with digital beamforming and phased array radar systems for space applications
• Extensive experience in space-grade hardware design, mission assurance, and parts selection
• Experience with COTS radar component assessment and space qualification testing
• Knowledge of radar licensing, frequency coordination, ITU regulations, and spectrum management for space systems
• Experience with ground segment development including mission planning, tasking, data downlink, and processing systems
• Demonstrated expertise in FMECA, reliability analysis, worst-case analysis, and radiation effects for space radar systems
• Experience with constellation design and multi-satellite radar architectures
• Knowledge of launch vehicle integration and orbital insertion strategies
• Project management and earned value management experience
• Publications or patents in space-based radar technology
• Strong communication skills and ability to present to executive leadership and customers

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production area

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant 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) retirement plan with company match.

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

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$268,600—$455,000 USD

Base Salary

$198,000—$330,000 USD

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.