RF Design - Academic Part-Time

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.  

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. 

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. 

RF DESIGN - ACADEMIC PART-TIME

Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the RF Design - Academic Part-Time is responsible for supporting the development of new RF products including Rocket Lab’s radio product line alongside the radio development team. The RF Design Engineer I will design and simulate RF products including the Frontier-Lite Radio.  The successful candidate will have a strong combination of RF engineering, system design, and board/circuit design skills and will thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Position Type: Hourly, part-time ~20 hours/week

Term: Flexible based on candidate availability and class schedule. Must maintain active academic attendance and involvement.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Product Development

  • Define and maintain requirements specifications
  • Support the development process, ensuring key design decisions and developments are in alignment with the required product capabilities
  • Design and prototype the RF product including component selection and PCB layout / fabrication / packaging
  • Support the development of test plans and procedures
  • Support the design and development of GSE and production automation
  • Support the development of product documentation including ICDs and User Manuals
  • Support engineering reviews such as PDRs, CDRs and TRRs

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Fundamental RF knowledge including cascaded device analysis, link budget analysis, and HFSS
• Experience in developing a RF product including assessing requirements and prototyping engineering models
• A solid theoretical and practical understanding of RF communications and navigation systems and components

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: 

• Experience in space grade board design including parts selection and performance simulation
• Experience in circuit analyses including worst case, reliability, FMECA, thermal, and derating analyses
• Experience designing, integrating, and testing RF communications systems for launch vehicles or satellites
• Experience leading incident management and investigations.
• Experience in conflict resolution and dealing with difficult people.
• The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Effective communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships
• Project management experience

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus