Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer II
About The Position
The Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer II leads guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) and attitude determination and control system (ADCS) development for Rocket Lab’s spacecraft. The role spans the engineering life cycle, including spacecraft concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed GNC design, subsystem and vehicle integration and test, and customer engagement. The engineer plans and maintains development schedules in support of the Space Systems Software organization and works closely with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams. The position is based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, and coordinates with teams in Denver, Colorado, and New Zealand.
Requirements
- Bachelor of Science degree.
- At least 8 years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS.
- Prior experience directly interfacing with aerospace customers in commercial or government sectors.
- U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s or PhD.
- 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 lifecycle.
- Prior experience working on multiple projects simultaneously and determining team priorities.
- Experience with GNC-related business development or conceptual design work.
Responsibilities
- Mentor a team responsible for GNC design, modeling, and analysis across spacecraft and missions including LEO, MEO, GEO, Lunar, Interplanetary, Reentry, and RPOD.
- 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.
- Perform 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.
- 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 customers and related engineering teams 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
