Director, Radar Payload

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, separati...

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 Develop...

Based at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, we are looking for a Director, Radar 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 rad...

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

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
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

Citizenship of AU / NZ / EU / NATO