Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer II - 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.
Space Systems
Rocket Lab's Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and subsystems including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios. The team has enabled more than 1,700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration to national security initiatives, partnering with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
The Role
As Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer II, 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 and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed GNC design, subsystem integration and test, and vehicle integration and test. You will plan and maintain development schedules, work closely 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
- Conduct 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
- Work with department leads and program managers to plan schedules, milestones, and report technical status
- Coordinate with teams in Denver, Colorado and New Zealand
Required Qualifications
- B.S. and 8+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS
- Active Secret clearance, with ability to obtain TS/SCI
- Prior experience directly interfacing with aerospace customers in the commercial or government sectors
- U.S. citizenship is required due to program requirements
Desired Qualifications
- MS or PhD
- Active TS/SCI 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 a variety of 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 working multiple projects simultaneously and determining priorities for a team
- Experience with GNC-related Business Development or conceptual design work
Compensation
- Base Salary: $162,000 to $243,000 USD
- Total Compensation (base and equity): $194,000 to $300,000 USD
- Equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits package includes company stock as part of total compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, medical plans (HMO, PPO, 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, 401(k) retirement plan with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and various other employee discounts.
Work Environment
This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
Location and Citizenship
Based in Long Beach, CA. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce.