Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer I - Secret Clearance Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. Our Space Systems team has enabled over 1,700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration to national security initiatives, delivering spacecraft and components for NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
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 work across the full engineering lifecycle: spacecraft concept, algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed GNC design, integration and test, and vehicle-level validation. You will plan and maintain development schedules, coordinate with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams, and interact directly with customers to ensure mission success.
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 modern analysis, test, and operations tools
- Support internal and external design reviews
- Plan and maintain team schedule and milestones; report technical status
- Coordinate with teams in Denver, Colorado and New Zealand
Required Qualifications
- B.S. degree and 5+ 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
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- 2+ years of RPOD design and operations experience
- 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 prioritizing team work
- Experience with GNC-related business development or conceptual design
Compensation
Base salary: $132,000 to $198,000 USD. Total compensation including equity: $152,000 to $233,000 USD. Equity grant value is based on function, level, experience, and other factors.
Benefits
Comprehensive package includes company stock, 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 additional employee discounts.
Working Conditions
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, with occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.