Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer I 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 expanding humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
The Role
Based in Long Beach, CA, you'll lead GNC and ADCS development for Rocket Lab's growing fleet of diverse spacecraft. You will work across the complete engineering lifecycle: concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed design, integration and test, and vehicle-level operations. You'll coordinate with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams, and directly interact with customers including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
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 strategies
- 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
- Coordinate across teams in Denver, Colorado and New Zealand
Required Qualifications
- BS degree and 5+ 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 Have
- MS or PhD
- Active Secret or TS Security Clearance
- 2+ years of RPOD design and operations experience
- Experience in 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
- 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 prioritizing team work
- Experience with GNC-related business development or conceptual design
Compensation
Base pay range (CA only): $132,000 to $220,000 USD. You'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you direct stake in the company's success.
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits include an industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and zero-cost HDHP with HSA company 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, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers where available, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and various employee discounts.