Principal Spacecraft GNC Engineer - Secret Clearance

Rocket Lab•Long Beach, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Principal Spacecraft GNC Engineer leads guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) and attitude determination and control systems (ADCS) development for Rocket Lab’s diverse spacecraft fleet. The role covers the engineering lifecycle, including spacecraft concepts and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed GNC design, subsystem integration and test, and vehicle integration and test. The engineer plans and maintains development schedules in support of the Space Systems Software organization and collaborates with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams, as well as customers, to support mission success. The role mentors a team working on GNC design, modeling, and analysis for missions spanning LEO, MEO, GEO, lunar, interplanetary, reentry, and rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD). Work also includes flight software and simulation products, spacecraft autonomy tools for constellation management, GNC component selection and subsystem design, test development and execution, fault detection and response, hardware-in-the-loop and Monte Carlo simulation, and integration of flight and simulation software with analysis, test, and operations tools. The engineer supports design reviews, coordinates with teams in Denver and New Zealand, and works with department leads and program managers on schedules, milestones, and technical status. The position requires an active Secret clearance and the ability to obtain TS/SCI, as well as U.S. citizenship due to program requirements. The role may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Requirements

B.S. degree and 12 or more years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS.
Active Secret clearance, with the ability to obtain TS/SCI.
Prior experience directly interfacing with aerospace customers in the commercial or government sectors.
U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.

Nice To Haves

M.S. or Ph.D.
Two or more years of RPOD design and operations experience.
Active TS/SCI clearance.
Experience with Jira planning and workflow.
Prior experience mentoring a team of younger engineers.
Hands-on experience with IMUs, reaction wheels, star trackers, gyroscopes, and other GNC hardware.
Experience developing blended attitude solutions from a variety of sensor data.
Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and verifying flight software.
Demonstrated experience with spacecraft on-orbit operations and anomaly resolution.
Prior experience leading a team across a project lifecycle.
Prior experience working on multiple projects simultaneously and determining team priorities.
Experience with GNC-related business development or conceptual design work.

Responsibilities

Lead GNC and ADCS development for Rocket Lab spacecraft.
Mentor a team conducting GNC design, modeling, and analysis across a variety of spacecraft and mission types.
Design flight software, algorithms, and simulation products.
Develop spacecraft autonomy tools for constellation management.
Select GNC components and design GNC subsystems.
Develop and execute test processes.
Define fault detection and response.
Conduct hardware-in-the-loop and Monte Carlo simulation.
Integrate flight and simulation software with analysis, test, and operations tools.
Support internal and external design reviews.
Work with department leads and program managers to plan and maintain team schedules and milestones and report technical status.
Coordinate with teams in Denver, Colorado, and New Zealand.
Work directly with customers to help ensure mission success.
Address the engineering lifecycle from spacecraft concept and algorithm development through flight software implementation, requirements development, detailed design, subsystem integration and test, and vehicle integration and test.

Benefits

Company stock as part of total compensation.
Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a company HSA contribution.
Dental coverage.
Vision coverage.
Paid vacation and sick time.
11 paid holidays.
Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
Paid parental leave.
Disability insurance.
Life insurance.
401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Subsidized EV charging.
Onsite fitness centers where available.
Discounted gym memberships.
Complimentary snacks and beverages.
50% employee discount on the company merchandise store.
Other employee discounts.