Spacecraft GNC Engineer II Verified today
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems for missions ranging from interplanetary exploration to national security. Our Space Systems team has enabled over 1,700 missions, building spacecraft and components for partners including 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 diverse spacecraft fleet. You will own the complete engineering lifecycle: spacecraft concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed GNC design, integration and test, and vehicle I&T. You will plan development schedules, coordinate with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams, and interact directly with customers.
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
- Work with department leads and program managers to plan schedules, milestones, and report technical status
- Coordinate with teams in Long Beach, CA and New Zealand
Required Qualifications
- BS degree
- 2+ years industry experience in GNC/ADCS
- Prior experience directly interfacing with aerospace customers in commercial or government sectors
- U.S. citizenship required due to program requirements
Preferred Qualifications
- 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 engineers
- 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
- Experience with spacecraft on-orbit operations and anomaly resolution
- Prior experience leading a team across a project lifecycle
- Experience managing multiple simultaneous projects and team priorities
- Experience with GNC-related business development or conceptual design work
Compensation
- Base Salary: $100,000 - $137,000 USD
- Total Compensation (base and equity): $132,000 - $151,000 USD
- Equity grant value designed around function, level, experience, and other factors
Benefits
Comprehensive package includes company stock as part of total compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Program with 15% discount, top-tier medical/dental/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.