{"id":639363,"url":"https://alion.io/job/rocketlab-senior-rf-digital-payload-engineer-ii-pipeline","title":"Senior RF Digital Payload Engineer II Pipeline","company":{"id":684473,"name":"Rocket Lab","domain":"rocketlab.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/rocketlab-2","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":79,"open_postings":90,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":0.811,"repost_share":0.022,"time_to_fill_p50_days":39,"computed_at":"2026-10-25T05:49:26Z"}},"role":"Hardware","role_family":"Hardware","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Long Beach, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":174300,"max":269875,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":269875},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"Incident Management","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-08-28T21:44:17Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-08","last_verified_at":"2026-10-25T15:26:53Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":57,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":57},"description":"ABOUT ROCKET LAB\nRocket 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.\nSPACE SYSTEMS\nAt 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.\nOur 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. \nSENIOR DIGITAL PAYLOAD ENGINEER II PIPELINE\nBased onsite at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, we are looking for a Senior Digital Payload Engineer II for a future opening who will be responsible for the development of new digital payload products including modems, processors, and network routers. The Senior Digital Payload Engineer will take the design from initial concept through inflight operations including board layout, bring-up, qualification, and production. 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.\nWHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:\nProduct Development\nDefine and maintain requirements specifications\nArchitect the digital product design\nSupport the development process, ensuring key design decisions and developments are in alignment with the required product capabilities\nDesign and prototype the digital product including component selection and PCB layout / fabrication / packaging\nSupport the development of test plans and procedures\nSupport the design and development of GSE and production automation\nSupport the development of product documentation including ICDs and User Manuals\nLiaise with Test Engineers and Manufacturing Engineers to drive New Product Introduction\nCustomer/Program Support\nReview proposals and requirements specifications to assess compliance based on existing unit capabilities vs development needs\nScope and drive development activities for new requirements\nSupport engineering reviews such as PDRs, CDRs and TRRs\nProvide technical support to internal/external customers including general questions and anomaly troubleshooting\nMaintain broad awareness of product development and production schedules to ensure the needs of customers and programs are satisfied\nYOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR DIGITAL PAYLOAD ENGINEER II:\nBachelors degree in electrical engineering, computer science; or other engineering discipline\n8+ years of experience in space electronics with technical expertise in high speed serial interfaces (SPI, PCIe, Ethernet), system on chips, microcontrollers, and digital signal processing\nExperience in developing and delivering a digital product including assessing requirements, prototyping engineering models, and producing space worthy products.\nDetailed knowledge of digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms and communication theory\nU.S. citizenship required due to program requirements\nTHESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:\nAbility to obtain a TS/SCI clearance\nDeep experience in various modems and familiarity with latest modem components\nExtensive experience in space grade board design including parts selection and performance simulation for high-speed digital and mixed signal circuits\nExtensive experience in circuit analyses including timing analysis and physical constraints\nExtensive experience supporting and leading complex engineering programs and developing associated documentation; demonstrated code design for re-usability, maintainability, and scalability\nExperience designing, integrating, and testing communications systems for launch vehicles or satellites\nExperience leading incident management and investigations\nThe ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines\nEffective communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships\nProject management experience\nThis 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.\nAnticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.\nJoin one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.\nOur comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a 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, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.\nAdditional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.\nLevel and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.\nTotal Compensation (base and equity)\n$174,300—$269,875 USD\nBase Salary\n$141,800—$212,600 USD\nWHAT TO EXPECT \nWe’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. \nImportant information:\nFOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:\nTo 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.\nRocket 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.\nApplicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at . 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.\nFOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:\nFor 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. \nUnder 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.","description_format":"text","description_chars":9377,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":8,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Gym membership","Life insurance","Parental leave","Retirement plans"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":[],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-10T20:00:17Z"}],"visa":[{"country":"US","licensed_sponsor":true,"evidence":"H-1B filings in 12 months: 9 · green card filings: 1","filings_12m":9,"filings_prev_12m":4,"green_card_filings_12m":1,"median_offered_wage_usd":177500,"route":null,"cap_exempt":false,"checked_at":"2026-10-15T11:24:14+00:00","sources":["US Department of Labor: LCA disclosure data (H-1B, H-1B1, E-3)","US Department of Labor: PERM disclosure data (green cards)"],"filings_for_role_12m":0}],"liveness":{"score":29,"band":"fade","label":"Fading","p_open":1,"p_active":0.52,"p_room":0.55,"age_days":57,"expected_fill_days":39,"reasons":["conf:1","stale_co","velocity","win:tail","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-25T05:49:26Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":269875,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/rocketlab-senior-rf-digital-payload-engineer-ii-pipeline","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/rocketlab-senior-rf-digital-payload-engineer-ii-pipeline.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-25T18:59:54Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":27002,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-26T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":684473},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=684473"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Frocketlab-senior-rf-digital-payload-engineer-ii-pipeline"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Frocketlab-senior-rf-digital-payload-engineer-ii-pipeline"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Frocketlab-senior-rf-digital-payload-engineer-ii-pipeline"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/rocketlab-senior-rf-digital-payload-engineer-ii-pipeline\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Frocketlab-senior-rf-digital-payload-engineer-ii-pipeline"}]}