Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer II

Rocket Lab•Long Beach, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer II 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. It also 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 engineer interacts directly with customers to support mission success. The role includes mentoring a team working on GNC design, modeling, and analysis across missions such as LEO, MEO, GEO, lunar, interplanetary, reentry, and rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD). The position is based in Long Beach and coordinates with teams in Denver, Colorado, and New Zealand. It may involve prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements. Rocket Lab offers competitive base pay and company stock as part of total compensation. The California base pay range is $162,000–$270,000, with level and salary determined based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Benefits include an Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% stock discount; medical plans, including a zero-cost HDHP option with an 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; and a 401(k) plan with company match. Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers where available, discounted gym memberships, snacks and beverages, an employee merchandise discount, and other employee discounts.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree and 8 or more 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 degree 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 life cycle.
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’s spacecraft fleet.
Mentor a team responsible for GNC design, modeling, and analysis across a wide variety of spacecraft and 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.
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 Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams, and interact directly with customers.

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 significant 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 merchandise store.
Other employee discounts.