Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer I
About The Position
Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer I leads guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) and attitude determination and control system (ADCS) development for Rocket Lab’s diverse spacecraft fleet. The role spans the engineering life cycle, including spacecraft concept 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, collaborates with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams, and interacts directly with customers to support mission success. The position also involves mentoring a team and supporting a wide range of spacecraft and mission types, including LEO, MEO, GEO, lunar, interplanetary, reentry, and rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) missions. The role coordinates with teams in Denver, Colorado, and New Zealand.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science degree and at least 5 years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS.
- 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
- Master’s or Ph.D.
- Active Secret or TS security clearance.
- At least 2 years of RPOD design and operations experience.
- 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 life cycle.
- Prior experience working on multiple projects simultaneously and determining priorities for a team.
- Experience with GNC-related business development or conceptual design work.
Responsibilities
- Lead and mentor a team responsible for GNC design, modeling, and analysis across a wide range of spacecraft and space missions.
- 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 simulations.
- Integrate flight and simulation software with modern 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 with cross-functional engineering teams and interact directly with customers to support mission success.
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 and vision coverage.
- Paid vacation and sick time.
- 11 paid holidays.
- Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
- Paid parental leave.
- Disability and 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
