GNC Engineer I - Electron

Rocketlab; Auckland; On-site; NZD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab’s Electron team is seeking a GNC Engineer I to contribute to trajectory design, mission design, and GNC development across launch operations and test facilities. This role collaborates with engineers to ensure robust guidance, navigation, and control for both orbital and suborbital missions.

You will perform Monte Carlo analyses, auto-sequence planning and verification, and support flight hardware integration while maintaining a strong safety mindset and adherence to procedures.

Qualifications

• Master’s, bachelor’s or higher degree in Aerospace, Mechatronics or equivalent qualification.
• A thorough fundamental understanding of orbital mechanics.
• A good theoretical and/or practical understanding of rigid body dynamics.
• 1–2 years of experience developing software.
• 1–2 years of relevant aerospace engineering experience (including rocketry experience).

Responsibilities

• Trajectory Optimization & Mission Design.
• GNC R&D / Support.
• Health and Safety.

Skills

orbital mechanics understanding

rigid body dynamics

software development

aerospace engineering experience

Education

Master’s/Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace/Mechatronics

Tools

Python

MATLAB

GMAT

STK

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

While other companies talk about it, we do it!

ELECTRON:

Rocket Lab’s Electron team is responsible for building, testing, and launching our Electron rocket across our launch sites and test facilities in the United States and New Zealand. Electron is one of the world's most frequently-launched rockets, and our team behind its success are diligent, move fast, and have each others’ back to deliver a reliable rocket to the launch pad time and time again.

GNC ENGINEER I - ELECTRON

In this role you will be responsible for general mission design including trajectory design and optimization, auto-sequence planning & design, Monte Carlo analysis, configuration management, and any other mission design, launch operations, verification and validation tasks as required.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Trajectory Optimization & Mission Design
  
  
  
  • Assisting with trajectory optimization/design for launch vehicle orbital missions and suborbital missions (HASTE).
  
  
  • Assisting with auto sequence design (maneuvers, telemetry, ground station contacts), implementation and verification for flight, stack tests and wet dress rehearsals
  
  
  • Analysis and missionization of optimized 3DOF trajectories for implementation in 6DOF and flight scenarios
  
  
  • Monte-Carlo analysis pre-flight, launch day and post-flight analysis
  
  
  • Design and verification of spacecraft separation sequences and dynamics
  
  
  
  


• GNC R&D / Support
  
  
  
  • Assisting with all areas of GNC development and maintenance for Electron, Neutron and/or other programs including:
    
    
    
    • Core GNC R&D (Guidance, Navigation, and Control)
    
    
    • Vehicle parameter modelling / prediction and/or configuration control
    
    
    • 6DOF simulator design and development
    
    
    • Launch and HITL operations
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• Health and Safety
  
  
  
  • Ensure health and safety policies and standard operating procedures are followed
  
  
  • Correct PPE is worn in designated areas
  
  
  • Near misses and incidents are reported promptly
  
  
  
  

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s, bachelor’s or higher degree in Aerospace, Mechatronics or equivalent qualification


• A thorough fundamental understanding of orbital mechanics


• A good theoretical and/or practical understanding of rigid body dynamics


• 1-2 years of experience developing software


• 1-2 years of relevant aerospace engineering experience (including rocketry experience)

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with optimization for launch-vehicle or spacecraft missions


• Experience with Python or MATLAB


• Experience with GMAT or STK


• Experience in development/implementation of a basic 3DOF propagator for LEO, lunar, or interplanetary trajectory from fundamental equations of motion

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

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 (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.