Principal Spacecraft GNC Engineer - Secret Clearance

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity options

Top-tier medical and dental benefits

Flexible spending accounts

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Principal Spacecraft GNC Engineer to lead development efforts for various spacecraft in Long Beach, CA. This role requires significant aerospace experience and an active Secret clearance.

You will be responsible for GNC and ADCS design and development, mentoring younger engineers, and preparing flight software. The position offers competitive pay and benefits including generous vacation and healthcare plans.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of aerospace experience in GNC/ADCS.
• Active Secret clearance, ability to obtain TS/SCI.
• Experience interfacing with aerospace customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead GNC and ADCS development for spacecraft.
• Mentor a team on various space missions.
• Develop flight software and algorithms.

Skills

GNC/ADCS expertise

Team mentoring

Flight software development

Simulation and analysis

Education

B.S. in relevant field

MS or PhD (nice to have)

Tools

Jira

IMU

Gyroscopes

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, while we develop Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business 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.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets – we’re building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft and precision payloads to the components and subsystems that keep them thriving in space, such as solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in‑space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high‑performance spacecraft, a constellation, or a vertically integrated set of components, our world‑class Space Systems team empowers some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

PRINCIPAL SPACECRAFT GUIDANCE NAVIGATION AND CONTROL (GNC) ENGINEER – SECRET CLEARANCE

Based out of Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Principal Spacecraft GNC Engineer – Secret Clearance is responsible for leading GNC and ADCS development for Rocket Lab’s growing fleet of diverse spacecraft. You will demonstrate a firm grasp of spacecraft GNC concepts and applications, working with all facets of the engineering life cycle: 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.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO

• 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
• Select GNC components and design GNC subsystems
• Develop and execute test processes
• Define fault detection and response strategies
• Conduct hardware‑in‑the‑loop and Monte‑Carlo simulations
• Integrate flight and simulation software with modern analysis, test, and operations tools
• Support internal and external design reviews
• Plan and maintain team schedules, milestones, and technical status reports with department leads and program managers
• Coordinate with teams in Denver, Colorado and New Zealand

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS PRINCIPAL SPACECRAFT GNC ENGINEER

• B.S. and 12+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS
• Active Secret clearance, with ability to obtain TS/SCI
• Prior experience directly interfacing with aerospace customers in the commercial or government sectors
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE

• MS or PhD
• 2+ years of RPOD design and operations experience
• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Experience with 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

PROLONGED PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

BASE PAY RANGE (CA ONLY)

$170,000 – $225,000 USD

BENEFITS

Employees may also receive company equity and a robust benefits package including top‑tier medical HMO, PPO, 100% company‑sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation, 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include a discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR U.S. OFFICES

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR NEW ZEALAND OFFICES

Background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers. These checks will include nationality checks, as it is a requirement that applicants be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' ITAR. Under these regulations, you may be ineligible if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO country, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.

ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCE

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 resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from applying or interviewing. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered.