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, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
Space Systems
Our Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and subsystems including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios. We have enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives, partnering with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
The Role
Based in Littleton, CO, you will lead GNC and ADCS development for Rocket Lab's growing fleet of diverse spacecraft. You will demonstrate expertise in spacecraft GNC concepts and applications, working across the full engineering lifecycle: spacecraft concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements development, 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 directly interact with customers to ensure mission success.
What You'll 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 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 schedules, milestones, and report technical status
- Coordinate with teams in Long Beach, CA and New Zealand
You'll Bring
- BS and hands-on experience in GNC/ADCS
- Prior experience directly interfacing with aerospace customers in the commercial or government sectors
- U.S. citizenship is 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 in Jira planning and workflow
- Prior mentoring experience with 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 work
Compensation
Base salary: $81,000 to $112,000 USD. Total compensation (base and equity): $107,000 to $121,000 USD.
Benefits include competitive base pay, company stock as part of your total compensation package, Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount on company stock, top-tier medical plans, 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, and other discounts and perks.
Eligibility
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), lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.