Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer I

Rocket Lab•Long Beach, CA

6d•$132,000 - $220,000•Onsite

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 systems (ADCS) development for Rocket Lab’s diverse spacecraft fleet. The role applies spacecraft GNC concepts throughout the engineering lifecycle, including concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed design, subsystem and vehicle integration and test, and coordination of development schedules for the Space Systems Software organization. The engineer works closely 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 engineers, planning team schedules and milestones, reporting technical status, and coordinating with teams in Denver, Colorado, and New Zealand.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree.
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 Top Secret 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 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 responsible for GNC design, modeling, and analysis across spacecraft and missions, including LEO, MEO, GEO, Lunar, interplanetary, reentry, and RPOD 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 approaches.
Conduct hardware-in-the-loop and Monte Carlo simulations.
Integrate flight and simulation software with analysis, test, and operations tools.
Support internal and external design reviews.
Plan and maintain team schedules and milestones with department leads and program managers, and report technical status.
Coordinate with teams in Denver, Colorado, and New Zealand.
Work with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams, and interact directly with customers.
Support the engineering lifecycle from spacecraft concept and algorithm development through software implementation, requirements, design, 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.