GNC Engineer II Verified today
About the Role
As GNC Engineer II in Mission Formulation, you will be responsible for Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) design, modeling, analyses, and testing for Rocket Lab launches and missions. You'll work closely with the Global Launch Services (GLS) Mission Formulation Team, other Engineering teams, and Production to bring new launch and mission concepts to life.
You'll conduct trade studies, preliminary and final mission analyses, and detailed design definition for Rocket Lab's launch programs. This team formulates and implements launches and missions for classified operations on HASTE and Electron launch vehicles.
What You'll Do
- Serve as GNC contact to Business Development for proposals and mission definition
- Develop launch and mission operational concepts
- Design and analyze orbital and suborbital trajectories
- Work with external stakeholders and customers on mission-specific requirements engineering
- Document GNC solutions and participate in design reviews with customers
- Support hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing to verify trajectories, GNC, and flight code performance
- Conduct Monte Carlo simulation analyses to define and verify launch and mission operations
- Develop and support release of flight code for pre-launch ground testing, launch, and mission operations
- Develop tools and processes for automating common GNC modelling and analysis tasks
What You'll Bring
- Bachelor's degree and 2+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS
- Understanding of orbital mechanics and/or closed-loop control systems, preferably on launch vehicles
- Experience with trajectory optimization
- Proven experience developing real-time control and/or estimation algorithms in autonomous vehicles, preferably launch vehicles
- Active Secret security clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one
Nice to Have
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Experience with requirements assessments and interface control document generation
- Git version control experience
- 3+ years' experience in modelling, simulation and/or control of dynamics systems, particularly rigid bodies
- 3+ years' experience with Python development
- 3+ years' experience with data analysis using MATLAB and/or SciPy
- C/C++ development experience
- Experience with POST, ASTOS, TAOS or similar mission analysis, trajectory optimization, vehicle design and simulation tools
- Strong communication skills and ability to build working relationships
- Creative, analytical approach to problem solving
- Ability to work independently and plan daily workflow to meet higher level tasks
Location and Work Environment
Based at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Littleton, CO. This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
Compensation
Base salary range (CO only): $100,000 to $137,500 USD. Final compensation based on individual qualifications and experience.
Compensation package includes company stock or cash incentives, discounted stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, paid parental leave, and other discounts and perks.
US Work Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations (ITAR), employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (Green Card holder), lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.