Spacecraft GNC Engineer II

Rocket Lab•Littleton, CO

17h•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is hiring a Spacecraft GNC Engineer II for its Space Systems team, based at its Littleton, Colorado site. The role leads guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) and attitude determination and control system (ADCS) development for a diverse fleet of spacecraft. The engineer applies spacecraft GNC concepts across the engineering life cycle, including concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed design, subsystem integration and test, and vehicle integration and test. The role includes planning and maintaining development schedules in support of the Space Systems Software organization, coordinating with teams such as Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software, and directly engaging with customers to help ensure mission success. It also involves coordination with teams in Long Beach, California, and New Zealand. The position may require prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. Compensation includes base salary and company equity. The listed expected total compensation (base and equity) is $132,000–$151,000 USD; the listed base salary is $100,000–$137,000 USD. The posting also describes company stock and a benefits package that includes an Employee Stock Purchase Program, medical, dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, a 401(k) plan with company match, discounts, and perks.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree.
At least 2 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 U.S. Government DoD Secret security clearance, or ability to obtain and maintain one.
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 using 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 spacecraft.
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 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.
Work with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams, and interact directly with customers.