Spacecraft GNC Engineer II 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.
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 entire 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 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
- 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
- Plan and maintain team schedules, milestones, and technical status with department leads and program managers
- Coordinate with teams in Denver, Colorado and New Zealand
Required Qualifications
- B.S. degree and 2+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS
- Prior experience directly interfacing with aerospace customers in commercial or government sectors
- Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
Preferred Qualifications
- MS or PhD
- Active Secret or TS/SCI clearance
- RPOD design and operations experience
- Experience with Jira planning and workflow
- Hands-on experience with IMU, reaction wheels, star trackers, gyroscopes, and other GNC hardware
- Experience developing blended attitude solutions from multiple sensor data sources
- 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 and Benefits
Base pay range (CA only): $115,000 - $140,000 USD. Compensation includes company stock. Benefits include Employee Stock Purchase Program (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) with company match, subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on merchandise, and other employee discounts.
Export Control
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (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 U.S. Department of Commerce.