Spacecraft GNC Engineer II: Autonomy & Flight Software

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock in total compensation

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO)

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and holidays

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA, is seeking a Spacecraft GNC Engineer II to lead GNC/ADCS development for a growing fleet of spacecraft. You will manage the full lifecycle from concept to I&T, interfacing with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software, and collaborating with customers to ensure mission success.

The role emphasizes leading design, simulation, and testing efforts, plus coordinating with Denver and New Zealand teams.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in GNC/ADCS.
• Experience interfacing with aerospace customers.
• U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Perform hardware-in-the-loop and Monte Carlo simulations.
• Integrate flight and simulation software with analysis and operations tools.
• Support design reviews with internal and external teams.
• Plan and maintain team schedule and milestones with program managers.

Skills

GNC/ADCS

Customer interfacing

Team coordination

Education

BS in aerospace/related field

MS or PhD

Tools

Jira planning

RPOD design

IMU/ star trackers hardware

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA, is seeking a Spacecraft GNC Engineer II to lead GNC/ADCS development for a growing fleet of spacecraft. You will manage the full lifecycle from concept to I&T, interfacing with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software, and collaborating with customers to ensure mission success.

The role emphasizes leading design, simulation, and testing efforts, plus coordinating with Denver and New Zealand teams.