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Rocket Lab is seeking a Spacecraft GNC (Guidance, Navigation & Control) Engineer to join its Space Systems team in Littleton, CO. This role is responsible for leading GNC and ADCS (Attitude Determination and Control System) development across Rocket Lab's growing fleet of diverse spacecraft. You will work across the full engineering lifecycle: spacecraft concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed GNC design, integration & test, and vehicle I&T.
Key responsibilities include designing flight software and algorithms, developing spacecraft autonomy tools for constellation management, selecting GNC components and designing subsystems, developing and executing test processes, defining fault detection and response strategies, conducting hardware-in-the-loop and Monte Carlo simulations, and integrating flight and simulation software with modern analysis and operations tools. You will support design reviews, coordinate with department leads and program managers on scheduling and milestones, and work cross-functionally with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams. You will also coordinate with offices in Long Beach, CA and New Zealand, and directly interface with customers to ensure mission success.
Rocket Lab has enabled over 1,700 missions ranging from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security initiatives, building spacecraft and components for missions to the Moon and Mars in partnership with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.
The position is offered at either Engineer I or Engineer II level. Engineer I requires a BS and GNC/ADCS experience with prior aerospace customer interface. Engineer II requires a BS and 2+ years of industry GNC/ADCS experience with prior aerospace customer interface. Both levels require U.S. citizenship due to program requirements.
Desirable qualifications include an MS or PhD, active DoD Secret Security Clearance or ability to obtain one, 2+ years of RPOD design and operations experience, hands-on GNC hardware experience (IMU, reaction wheels, star trackers, gyroscopes), experience developing blended attitude solutions, flight software development and verification, on-orbit operations and anomaly resolution, team leadership experience, and multi-project management capability.
