Senior GNC Engineer

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions worldwide, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation, climate‑action initiatives, national security, and cutting‑edge technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. The Space Systems team designs and builds an extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer I is responsible for leading GNC and ADCS development for our growing fleet of diverse spacecraft. You will demonstrate a firm grasp of spacecraft GNC concepts and applications and work with all facets of the engineering life cycle: spacecraft concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements development, detailed GNC design, subsystem integration & test (I&T) and vehicle I&T.

You will plan and maintain the development schedule to support the Space Systems Software organization in executing leading‑edge programs and products. You will work closely with related teams, including Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations and Ground Software, and directly interact with customers to ensure mission success.

• Mentor a team responsible for GNC design, modeling, and analysis for a wide variety of spacecraft and space missions to include LEO, MEO, GEO, Lunar, Interplanetary, Reentry, and RPOD
• Design flight software, algorithms, and simulation products
• Develop spacecraft autonomy tools for constellation management
• GNC component selection and GNC subsystem design
• Test process development and execution
• Define fault detection and response
• 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 schedule and milestones, reporting technical status
• Coordinate with teams in Denver, Colorado and New Zealand

• BS and 5+ years of industry 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

• MS or PhD
• 2+ years of RPOD design and operations experience
• Experience in Jira planning and workflow
• Prior experience mentoring a team of younger engineers
• Hands‑on experience with IMU, reaction wheels, star trackers, gyroscopes, and other GNC hardware
• Experience developing blended attitude solutions from a variety of 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 (not necessarily a spacecraft, not necessarily a whole GNC system)
• Prior experience working multiple projects simultaneously and determining priorities for a team
• Experience with GNC‑related Business Development or conceptual design work

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise

$140,…