Senior GNC Engineer 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, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
About Electron
Rocket Lab's Electron team builds, tests, and launches the Electron rocket across launch sites and test facilities in the United States and New Zealand. Electron is one of the world's most frequently-launched rockets.
Your responsibilities
In this role you will be responsible for:
- Mission design including trajectory design and optimization, auto-sequence planning and design, Monte Carlo analysis, configuration management, and verification and validation tasks as required.
- GNC system development including writing GNC flight software, developing algorithms and models, analyzing GNC hardware performance, and analyzing flight data.
- Supporting and mentoring the GNC team alongside the GNC Team Lead.
What you'll do
Trajectory Optimization and Mission Design
- Assist with trajectory optimization and design for launch vehicle orbital missions and suborbital missions (HASTE).
- Assist with auto sequence design including maneuvers, telemetry, and ground station contacts, implementation and verification for flight, stack tests and wet dress rehearsals.
- Perform analysis and missionization of optimized 3DOF trajectories for implementation in 6DOF and flight scenarios.
- Conduct Monte-Carlo analysis pre-flight, launch day and post-flight.
- Design and verify spacecraft separation sequences and dynamics.
GNC Research and Development
- Assist with all areas of GNC development and maintenance for Electron, Neutron and other programs including:
- Core GNC R&D (Guidance, Navigation, and Control)
- Vehicle parameter modelling, prediction and configuration control
- 6DOF simulator design and development
- Launch and HITL operations
Health and Safety
- Ensure health and safety policies and standard operating procedures are followed.
- Wear correct PPE in designated areas.
- Report near misses and incidents promptly.
Your qualifications
- Bachelor, Masters or Ph.D. in Electronics, Software, Mechatronics or Aerospace Engineering
- 5+ years' experience developing in C/C++ including embedded or high reliability development
- 5+ years' experience developing in Python or MATLAB
- Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
- Excellent communication skills with ability to build strong working relationships
Nice to have
- Experience with optimization for launch-vehicle or spacecraft missions
- Experience with GMAT, STK, ASTOS and/or POST
- Publications in the fields of guidance, navigation, control or adjacent fields