Spacecraft GNC Engineer II

Rocket Lab Corporation•Littleton, CO

11h•$100,000 - $137,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Spacecraft GNC Engineer II leads guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) and attitude determination and control system (ADCS) development for Rocket Lab’s spacecraft fleet. The role spans the engineering lifecycle, including spacecraft concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed GNC design, subsystem and vehicle integration and test, and schedule planning. The engineer collaborates with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams and interacts directly with customers to support mission success. The position is based at Rocket Lab’s Littleton, Colorado site and includes coordination with teams in Long Beach, California, and New Zealand. The role supports Rocket Lab’s Space Systems organization, which develops spacecraft, payloads, and spaceflight components and subsystems. The position 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. Compensation includes a stated total compensation range of $132,000–$151,000, comprising base salary and equity, and a base salary range of $100,000–$137,000. The posting also describes company stock as part of total compensation and lists a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree.
At least 2 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 Ph.D.
Active U.S. Department of Defense Secret clearance, or ability to obtain and maintain one.
RPOD design and operations experience.
Experience with Jira planning and workflow.
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 varied sensor data.
Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and verifying flight software.
Demonstrated experience with spacecraft on-orbit operations and anomaly resolution.
Experience leading a team across a project lifecycle.
Experience working on multiple projects simultaneously and determining team priorities.
Experience with GNC-related business development or conceptual design work.

Responsibilities

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.
Plan and maintain team schedules and milestones with department leads and program managers, and report technical status.
Coordinate with teams in Long Beach, California, and New Zealand.
Lead GNC and ADCS development across spacecraft concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed GNC design, and integration and test.
Work with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams, and interact directly with customers to help ensure mission success.