Spacecraft GNC Engineer I 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: spacecraft concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed GNC design, integration and test, and vehicle-level testing. You will coordinate with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams, interact directly with customers, and manage schedules to support leading-edge programs.
What you will do
- 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 simulations
- Integrate flight and simulation software with modern analysis, test, and operations tools
- Support internal and external design reviews
- Plan and maintain team schedule, milestones, and report technical status
- Coordinate with teams in Long Beach, CA and New Zealand
Required qualifications
- BS and experience in GNC/ADCS
- Prior experience directly interfacing with aerospace customers in commercial or government sectors
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
Nice to have
- MS or PhD
- Active DoD US Government Secret Security Clearance or ability to obtain and maintain one
- 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 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
- Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously and determining team priorities
- Experience with GNC-related business development or conceptual design work
Compensation and benefits
Base salary: $81,000 to $112,000 USD. Total compensation (base and equity): $107,000 to $121,000 USD. Equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.
Benefits include company 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) with company match, and other discounts and perks.
Working conditions
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.
ITAR requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, granted refugee status or asylum, or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce.