Senior RF Systems Engineer, Rocket Lab USA
Thomas Hu is a Senior RF Systems Engineer at Rocket Lab USA, where he leads the transition of the Frontier-X software-defined radio product line from development into production and supports mission operations across a wide range of customer programs. His work spans the full lifecycle of flight-proven radios that provide telemetry, tracking, and command for missions ranging from Low Earth Orbit to deep-space exploration. Known internally as a deeply versatile RF engineer, Thomas combines board-level design, hands-on testing, and in-orbit mission support to deliver reliable communications systems under demanding schedules.
At Rocket Lab, Thomas serves as both technical lead and program manager for Frontier-X, guiding design reviews, automating test scripts, and responding directly to customer needs as systems move from qualification to flight. In parallel, he leads RF testing and mission support for multiple spacecraft, including NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars and Varda Space’s Winnebago missions, where Rocket Lab is responsible for maintaining orbit and managing re-entry. At peak periods, Thomas has supported up to five customers simultaneously, tailoring solutions to missions spanning LEO, GEO, and deep-space environments.
Before joining Rocket Lab, Thomas was a RF Systems Engineer at Calian Advanced Technologies, where he was responsible for integrating ground station infrastructure for satellite customers worldwide. He has designed and installed in-orbit test systems, and provided training and operations support to a variety of government and commercial customer test campaigns, building a strong foundation in end-to-end communications systems and customer-facing engineering. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan.
Colleagues describe Thomas as a “jack-of-all-trades” RF engineer with an uncommon ability to move seamlessly from circuit-level design through system testing and mission operations. His manager notes that Thomas took on ownership of Rocket Lab’s first internally designed L-band radio board and went on to lead RF efforts for multiple spacecraft programs, earning a reputation for responsiveness, precision, and reliability. Program managers regularly seek him out when timelines are tight and quality cannot be compromised.
Outside his professional role, Thomas has had a role in science outreach as a Camp Coordinator at SCI-FI Science Camp in Saskatoon, where he has designed and taught STEM curricula in classroom and camp environments, as well as in remote and underprivileged communities. Across product delivery, mission support, and mentorship, Thomas Hu brings a steady, hands-on approach to RF engineering that enables spacecraft to communicate when it matters most.
