Principal Spacecraft GNC Engineer - Secret Clearance Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, and expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
The Role
Based in Long Beach, CA, you will lead GNC and ADCS development for Rocket Lab's growing fleet of diverse spacecraft. You will manage the full spacecraft engineering lifecycle: concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed GNC design, subsystem and vehicle integration and test, and on-orbit operations.
What You'll Do
- Mentor a team responsible for GNC design, modeling, and analysis for LEO, MEO, GEO, Lunar, Interplanetary, Reentry, and RPOD 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 design reviews with internal and external teams
- Plan team schedule and milestones with department leads and program managers
- Coordinate with teams in Denver, Colorado and New Zealand
Required Qualifications
- B.S. degree and 12+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS
- Active Secret clearance with ability to obtain TS/SCI
- Prior experience directly interfacing with aerospace customers in commercial or government sectors
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
Preferred Qualifications
- MS or PhD
- 2+ years of RPOD design and operations experience
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- Experience with Jira planning and workflow
- Prior experience mentoring a team of younger engineers
- Hands-on experience with IMU, reaction wheels, star trackers, gyroscopes, and other GNC hardware
- Experience developing blended attitude solutions from multiple 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 managing multiple projects simultaneously and determining team priorities
- Experience with GNC-related business development or conceptual design work
Compensation and Benefits
Base pay range (CA only): $198,000 to $330,000 USD. Compensation includes company stock as part of the total package.
Benefits include Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, medical plans (HMO, PPO, zero cost HDHP with 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) with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and other employee discounts.
Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including ITAR, you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or Department of Commerce.
This position may require prolonged sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.