Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer I​/II

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. We are also developing 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.

Our team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration to in‑space manufacturing, and national security and defense initiatives.

Based out of Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer I/II 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 and work throughout the engineering life cycle—including spacecraft concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements, detailed GNC design, subsystem integration & test, and vehicle integration & test.

You will plan and maintain the development schedule, collaborate with Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software teams, and directly interact with customers to ensure mission success.

• 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
• Perform 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
• Work with department leads and program managers to plan and maintain team schedules and milestones and report technical status
• Coordinate with teams in Denver, Colorado, and New Zealand

• BS and 5+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS
• Prior experience directly interfacing with aerospace customers in the commercial or government sectors
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements

• BS and 8+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS
• Prior experience directly interfacing with aerospace customers in the commercial or government sectors
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements

• MS or PhD
• Active Secret or TS Security Clearance
• 2+ years of RPOD design and operations experience
• Experience in 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 or an entire GNC system)
• Prior experience working on multiple projects simultaneously and determining priorities for a team
• Experience with…