Team Lead - Radio Frequency Engineer (Ground Segment)
Rocket Lab
Salary undisclosed
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Description
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.
At Rocket Lab, we don’t just launch rockets, we build the systems that keep them talking to Earth. Our ground segment is the unseen backbone behind every mission, manoeuvre, and satellite. When the signal has to be rock‑solid, our RF team makes sure it never drops.
We’re looking for an RF Team Lead – Ground Segment in Auckland, New Zealand, ready to take on a role where mission success depends on the systems you lead.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
- This is your chance to own and evolve the RF ground segment that powers Rocket Lab’s launch and space operations
- You’ll lead a sharp, hands-on team of engineers and technicians who design, build and maintain our global RF ground station networks
- You’ll lead a sharp, hands-on team of engineers and technicians who design, develop, and operate our global RF communications and navigation systems. Ground stations, network architecture, real-time mission support, you’ll sit right where engineering precision meets mission urgency
- If you want a role where the pace is high, the problems are hard, and your decisions matter immediately, this is it
WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:
- Set direction, coach high performance, and grow capability across a team running critical RF infrastructure.
- Own ground station systems end-to-end: RF performance, network architecture, modems, mission interfaces
- Drive development, commissioning, and upgrades across a global ground station network
- Partner with SpaceOps to ensure every system is mission-ready and every link performs flawlessly
- Collaborate across engineering, operations, programs, and external partners to deliver seamless ground segment solutions
- Shape strategy, roadmap new tech, and support business growth with RF expertise
YOU’LL BRING:
- Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Communications Engineering, RF Engineering, or equivalent
- 7+ years of relevant technical and team lead experience
- Strong RF communications system design experience (cascaded device analysis, link budgets, modulation and coding selection)
- Strong RF test experience and experience using RF test equipment (VNAs, spectrum analysers), including unit level (e.g. LNA, SSPA) and full system testing
- Proven experience leading RF teams in fast-moving environments, mentoring, motivating, and delivering under pressure
- Solid RF fundamentals, link budgets, cascaded analysis, modulation/coding
- Strong experience with RF test tools (VNAs, spectrum analysers, system-level testing)
- A systems engineering mindset: requirements, validation, documentation, operational readiness
- Practical knowledge of IP networking and real-world RF deployment
BONUS POINTS:
- Python or LabVIEW for test automation
- Networking certifications (e.g., CCNA)
- Familiarity with CCSDS standards or frequency licensing
WHY ROCKET LAB:
- Work on systems that support real missions to space
- Lead a team with genuine ownership and autonomy
- Join a company that builds fast, iterates often, and delivers big
- Solve high-impact engineering challenges every day
If you're ready to lead from the front and build the RF backbone that keeps space missions connected, we want to hear from you.
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.
About this role
Rocket Lab is seeking an RF Team Lead to own the ground segment systems that connect every launch and satellite to Earth. You'd lead a team of engineers and technicians responsible for designing, developing, and operating ground-based RF communications and navigation infrastructure—from ground stations and network architecture to real-time mission support. This role sits at the intersection of technical depth and operational delivery, requiring you to move fast, solve complex problems, and make decisions that directly impact missions.
You'll need proven RF leadership experience with strong fundamentals in link budgets, cascaded analysis, and modulation/coding, plus hands-on familiarity with RF test equipment and system-level verification. A systems engineering mindset, knowledge of IP networking, and real-world RF deployment experience are essential. You'll act as the subject matter expert and product owner for ground station systems, drive commissioning and upgrades of global networks, and partner closely with SpaceOps, engineering, and external ground station providers. Python or LabVIEW automation skills, networking certifications, or CCSDS standards knowledge would strengthen your candidacy.
This is an in-office role based in Auckland. The position suits someone who thrives in high-pressure environments, can mentor teams while delivering under tight deadlines, and is energized by the prospect of building critical infrastructure for real space missions.
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