GNC Engineer II

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a GNC Engineer II to join the Mission Formulation team in Long Beach, CA. You will perform trajectory design, GNC analyses, and mission studies for launch programs, collaborating with multiple engineering groups to define and implement robust flight solutions.

Ideal candidates have 2+ years in GNC/ADCS, understanding of orbital mechanics, and experience with real-time control algorithms. A Secret clearance or ability to obtain one is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 2+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS.
• Understanding of orbital mechanics and/or closed-loop control systems, preferably launch vehicles.
• Experience with trajectory optimization.
• Proven experience developing real-time control and/or estimation algorithms in autonomous vehicles, preferably launch vehicles.
• Active Secret security clearance OR Ability to obtain and maintain one

Responsibilities

• GNC contact to Business Development for proposals and mission definition
• Launch and mission operational concept development
• Orbital and suborbital trajectory design and analysis
• Work with external stakeholders and customers for mission-specific requirements engineering
• Document proposed GNC solutions and participate in design reviews with customers
• Support hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing to verify trajectories, GNC, and flight code performance
• Conduct Monte Carlo simulation analyses to define and verify launch and mission operations
• Develop and support release of flight code for pre-launch ground testing, launch, and mission operations
• Develop tools and processes for automating common GNC modelling and analysis tasks

Skills

GNC/ADCS

Orbital mechanics

Control systems

Trajectory optimization

Real-time control

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in GNC/ADCS

Tools

Python development

Git version control

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

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 globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new 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. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

GNC ENGINEER II — MISSION FORMULATION

Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the GNC Engineer II — Mission Formulation is responsible for Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) design, modeling, analyses, and testing for Rocket Lab launches and missions. You'll play an integral part of Rocket Lab's Global Launch Services (GLS) Mission Formulation Team, which works closely with other Engineering teams and Production to bring new launch and mission concepts to life.

As part of the Mission Formulation team, you'll be responsible for conducting trade studies, preliminary and final mission analyses, and definition and implementation of detailed designs for Rocket Lab's launch programs. This team is also primarily responsible for the formulation and implementation of launches and missions for classified missions on HASTE and Electron launch vehicles.

Success in this position will be measured by the knowledge and experience in launch vehicle design and mission experience that you bring, your ability to contribute to projects without supervision, successful collaboration with other teams across Rocket Lab, and the skillful prioritization of competing engineering projects across the group.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO

• GNC contact to Business Development for proposals and mission definition
• Launch and mission operational concept development
• Orbital and suborbital trajectory design and analysis
• Work with external stakeholders and customers for mission‑specific requirements engineering
• Document proposed GNC solutions and participate in design reviews with customers
• Support hardware‑in‑the‑loop (HITL) testing to verify trajectories, GNC, and flight code performance
• Conduct Monte Carlo simulation analyses to define and verify launch and mission operations
• Develop and support release of flight code for pre‑launch ground testing, launch, and mission operations
• Develop tools and processes for automating common GNC modelling and analysis tasks

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS GNC ENGINEER II

• Bachelor's degree and 2+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS
• Understanding of orbital mechanics and/or closed‑loop control systems, preferably launch vehicles
• Experience with trajectory optimization
• Proven experience developing real‑time control and/or estimation algorithms in autonomous vehicles, preferably launch vehicles
• Active Secret security clearance OR Ability to obtain and maintain one

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Experience with requirements assessments and interface control document generation
• Experience with git version control.
• 3+ years' experience in modelling, simulation and/or control of dynamics systems, particularly rigid bodies
• 3+ years' experience with Python development