Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer II Verified today
About the role
Based in Littleton, CO, you will lead GNC and ADCS development for Rocket Lab's diverse spacecraft. You will work across the full engineering lifecycle: concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed design, integration and test, and vehicle integration. You will coordinate schedules, support Space Systems programs, and work closely with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams. You will interact directly with customers to ensure mission success.
What you will do
- Mentor a team on 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 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 modern analysis, test, and operations tools
- Support internal and external design reviews
- Plan team schedules, maintain milestones, and report technical status with program managers
- Coordinate with teams in Long Beach, CA and New Zealand
What you bring
- B.S. and 5+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS
- Ability to maintain and obtain a security clearance
- Prior experience directly interfacing with aerospace customers in commercial or government sectors
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
Nice to have
- M.S. or Ph.D.
- Active TS/SCI clearance
- 2+ years of RPOD design and operations experience
- Experience with Jira planning and workflow
- Prior experience mentoring younger engineers
- Hands-on experience with IMU, reaction wheels, star trackers, gyroscopes, and other GNC hardware
- Experience developing blended attitude solutions from sensor data
- Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and verifying flight software
- Spacecraft on-orbit operations and anomaly resolution experience
- Prior experience leading a team across a project lifecycle
- Prior experience managing multiple simultaneous projects and team priorities
- GNC-related Business Development or conceptual design experience
Compensation
- Base salary: $140,000 to $210,000 USD
- Total compensation (base and equity): $212,000 to $254,000 USD
- Company stock as part of total compensation package
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount
- Medical, 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) retirement plan with company match
Requirements
Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. and comply with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or eligible authorization from the U.S. Department of State or Department of Commerce is required.