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Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior GNC Engineer I to join the Mission Formulation Team at their Long Beach headquarters. This role focuses on Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) design, modeling, analyses, and testing for Rocket Lab's launch vehicles and missions, including classified programs on HASTE and Electron platforms.
You will serve as the GNC technical lead for mission definition and launch operations, working across Business Development, Engineering, and Production teams. Key responsibilities include conducting trade studies and preliminary/final mission analyses, orbital and suborbital trajectory design, requirements engineering with external customers, and hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing. You'll develop and document GNC solutions, participate in design reviews, conduct Monte Carlo simulations, support flight code release and testing, and build automation tools for GNC modeling and analysis tasks.
The ideal candidate brings 5+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS with deep understanding of orbital mechanics and closed-loop control systems, preferably from launch vehicle programs. You should have proven experience in trajectory optimization and developing real-time control/estimation algorithms for autonomous vehicles. An active Secret security clearance (or ability to obtain one) is required; TS/SCI clearance is a plus.
Desirable skills include requirements assessment and ICD generation, git version control, 3+ years modeling/simulation of dynamics systems, Python development, MATLAB/SciPy data analysis, C/C++ development, and experience with mission analysis tools (POST, ASTOS, TAOS). Strong communication, analytical problem-solving, and self-directed work habits are essential. The role involves occasional exposure to production environments with moderate noise, dust, and fumes.
