GNC Systems Lead - Spaceflight Guidance & Dynamics

JobSpace; Auckland; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in New Zealand is seeking a seasoned GNC Engineer to design and validate trajectory and guidance systems for the Electron program. You will work across launch-operations and verification tasks at our Auckland site, contributing to mission design, GNC software, and data analysis.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in C/C++ and Python, strong communication, and the ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor, Masters or Ph.D. in Electronics, Software, Mechatronics or Aerospace Engineering.
• 5+ years' experience developing in C/C++ including embedded or high reliability development.
• 5+ years' experience developing in Python or MATLAB.
• The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build strong working relationships.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• GNC system development including writing GNC flight software, developing algorithms and models, analyzing GNC hardware performance, analyzing flight data.
• Working with the GNC Team Lead to support and mentor the team.
• Trajectory optimization for launch vehicle missions (orbital/suborbital).
• Auto sequence design, implementation and verification for flight, stack tests and wet dress rehearsals.
• Analysis and missionization of optimized 3DOF trajectories for 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 across Electron, Neutron and/or other programs including Core GNC R&D and vehicle parameter modelling.

Skills

C/C++ development

Python

MATLAB

Communication skills

Work under pressure

Education

Bachelor/Master/PhD in Electronics, Software, Mechatronics or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

GMAT

STK

ASTOS

POST

Job description

Rocket Lab in New Zealand is seeking a seasoned GNC Engineer to design and validate trajectory and guidance systems for the Electron program. You will work across launch-operations and verification tasks at our Auckland site, contributing to mission design, GNC software, and data analysis.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years in C/C++ and Python, strong communication, and the ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines.