Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer II - Secret Clearance

ABOUT ROCKET LABRocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMSAt Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has 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, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR SPACECRAFT GNC ENGINEER II - SECRET CLEARANCE Based out of Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Spacecraft GNC Engineer II - 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. You will work with all facets of the engineering life cycle: spacecraft concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements development, detailed GNC design, subsystem integration & test (I&T), and vehicle I&T.

You will be responsible for planning and maintaining 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. You will also 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 RPODDesign of flight software, algorithms, and simulation product

Development of spacecraft autonomy tools for constellation managementGNC component selection and GNC subsystem design

Test process development and execution

Define fault detection and response

Hardware-in-the-loop and Monte Carlo simulation

Integration of 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 schedule and milestones and report technical status

Coordinate with teams in Denver, Colorado and New ZealandQUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS SENIOR SPACECRAFT GNC ENGINEER II:

B.S and 8+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCSActive Secret clearance, with ability to obtain TS/SCIPrior experience directly interfacing with aerospace customers in the commercial or government sectorsU.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

MS or PhDActive TS/SCI clearance2+ years of RPOD design and operations experience

Experience in Jira planning and workflow

Prior experiencing mentoring a team of younger engineers

Hands-on experience with IMU, reaction wheels, star trackers, gyroscopes, and other GNC hardware

Experie…