Senior RF Digital Payload Engineer I Pipeline
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.
About the Space Systems team
Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft and 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. The team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives, and 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.
About the role
Based onsite at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Digital Payload Engineer I will develop new digital payload products including modems, processors, and network routers. The role spans the full lifecycle from initial concept through inflight operations, including board layout, bring-up, qualification, and production. The successful candidate will combine RF engineering, system design, and board/circuit design skills in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Responsibilities
- Define and maintain requirements specifications
- Architect the digital product design and ensure key decisions align with required capabilities
- Design and prototype the digital product, including component selection, PCB layout, fabrication, and packaging
- Support development of test plans and procedures
- Develop GSE and production automation
- Create product documentation including ICDs and User Manuals
- Liaise with Test and Manufacturing Engineers to drive New Product Introduction
- Review proposals and requirements to assess compliance and scope development activities
- Support engineering reviews such as PDRs, CDRs, and TRRs
- Provide technical support to internal/external customers, including anomaly troubleshooting
- Maintain awareness of product development and production schedules to meet customer and program needs
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related engineering discipline
- 5+ years of experience in space electronics with expertise in high-speed serial interfaces (SPI, PCIe, Ethernet), system on chips, microcontrollers, and digital signal processing
- Experience developing and delivering a digital product from requirements assessment through engineering models to space-worthy hardware
- Detailed knowledge of digital signal processing algorithms and communication theory
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
Nice to have
- Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance
- Deep experience with various modems and familiarity with latest modem components
- Extensive experience in space-grade board design, including parts selection and performance simulation for high-speed digital and mixed-signal circuits
- Extensive experience with circuit analyses including timing analysis and physical constraints
- Experience leading complex engineering programs and developing associated documentation; demonstrated code design for reusability, maintainability, and scalability
- Experience designing, integrating, and testing communications systems for launch vehicles or satellites
- Experience leading incident management and investigations
- Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines
- Effective communication and relationship-building skills
- Project management experience
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.
Benefits
- Company stock as part of total compensation
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock
- Top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and zero-cost HDHP with 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
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships
- Complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on company merchandise
- Variety of other employee discounts
Pay
Total Compensation (base and equity): $144,275 USD – $206,175 USD
Base Salary: $124,000 USD – $170,500 USD
Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis considering job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.