RF Engineer

Summary about this job

Detail information about job RF Engineer. Terms and conditions vacancy

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced engineer to join the team at Rocket Lab and work on the most exciting engineering project currently being undertaken in New Zealand

As a RF Engineer you will work closely with both the Avionics and Launch teams and you will be play an important role in the design, testing and integration of radio frequency communication components used to support Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle. You will be challenged daily and to succeed you will need to adapt quickly and thrive under pressure to achieve tight project deadlines.

Our next launch date is fast approaching, and we are looking for someone who can hit the ground running so previous experience with RF communication components is vital.

There are 3 main areas of responsibility which are:

Rocket Lab ground station network

• Define and test ICDs on the stations.
• Configuration of receivers/ transmitters for the flight phases.
• Signal acquisition of flight vehicles.
• Implement satellite communication links.

Vehicle

• Define RF systems hardware per requirements from Software, GNC, and vehicle teams.
• Define test plans and execute them, functional testing, environmental testing and ICDs.
• Define ICDs with avionics network and communications network on ground.
• Understanding of environmental testing.
• Electromagnetic compatibility tests
• Define requirements for tests
• Supervise testing and support other teams
• Analyze results and suggest solutions in case of issues
• Analyze test data.

Operations

• Manage operations of RF link to remote sites and rocket.
• Execute launch procedures.
• Join operations team on site/Mission control center and support launch campaigns.
• Complete pre-flight tests.
• Define RF/communications interfaces with payloads.

Essential skills required for the position of RF engineer

• Bachelors or higher in Engineering or Physics, with major in Communications systems/Digital communications/Electromagnetics or equivalent qualification.
• 3+ years' experience in design, test and integration of RF front end systems for high reliability systems (aviation or aerospace systems).
• Experience with test equipment: network and spectrum analysers. 
• Experience with digital modulations, SDR radios and GNU radios.
• The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Proven communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationship.
• Hands on experience designing, assembling and testing front-end RF systems

Desired

• Python
• MATLAB
• Experience with ground stations design and deployment.
• A good theoretical and/or practical of electronic systems design

Important Information
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 http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/itar.html.