Senior Systems Engineering

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. 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.

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.

SENIOR SYSTEMS ENGINEER II – RF MISSION SOLUTIONS

Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior RF Mission Architect who thrives at the front end of the mission lifecycle. We design and manufacture high-performance payload products that serve as the building blocks for next-generation tactical satcom, space-based sensing, and direct-to-cell constellations.

You will balance link budgets, antenna architectures, digital vs analog components, SWaP-C constraints and then some —while authoring those trades into winning technical concepts for defense and commercial customers.

Architect Clean-Sheet Payloads: Run early mission trades, define payload topologies, analog vs digital conversion boundary, waveform processing constraints, or integration of cryptographic requirement for optimal mission profiles.

• Work directly with customers and our leadership team to frame complex RF trade-offs, write the core technical architecture narratives for key proposals, and defend your design choices.
• Shape the Hardware Roadmap: Use insights from customer mission needs to directly influence our internal R&D, payload prototyping, and technology investments.
• Bridge Concept to Flight: Partner with payload hardware, software, and spacecraft teams to make sure the architectures you pitch are buildable and transition cleanly into flight development.

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other technical discipline

• Demonstrated track record architecting complex multi-function RF, SAR/radar, or digital communication payloads from concept to proposal win
• Eligible to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance

Advanced degree in RF/microwave, electromagnetics, radar, or related field

• Experience in antennas, arrays, RF front‑end architectures, TR modules, DSP
• Radar techniques (SAR, MTI, STAP), performance modeling
• Digital payload concepts and RF‑compute convergence
• Zero trust, Post-quantum Cryptography requirements at hardware level
• Tools: STK, MATLAB, Python, HFSS, CST
• Understanding of spacecraft bus systems and their impact on payloads
• Collaborative across BD, engineering, executives, suppliers, and partners
• A clear communicator able to explain complex decisions in mission + financial context
• Efficient: strong foundations but always seeking faster, smarter ways to execute
• 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 areas.

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

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.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$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., S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.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.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. 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.