GNC Engineer II Verified today
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. The Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit. Rocket Lab is developing Neutron, an upcoming medium-lift reusable launch vehicle. The Space Systems business designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components, including spacecraft selected for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars.
The Role
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 will play an integral part of Rocket Lab's Global Launch Services (GLS) Mission Formulation Team, working closely with other Engineering teams and Production to bring new launch and mission concepts to life.
As part of the Mission Formulation team, you will 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 primarily responsible for the formulation and implementation of launches and missions for classified missions on HASTE and Electron launch vehicles.
What You'll Do
- Serve as GNC contact to Business Development for proposals and mission definition
- Develop launch and mission operational concept
- Conduct 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
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
Preferred Qualifications
- 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
- 3+ years' experience with data analysis using MATLAB and/or SciPy
- Experience developing in C/C++
- Experience with ASTOS or similar mission analysis, trajectory optimization, vehicle design and simulation tools
- Strong communication skills and ability to build strong working relationships
- Creative, analytical, and good at problem solving
- Ability to work on own initiative and to plan daily workflow to meet higher level tasks
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary range (Colorado): $115,000 to $144,000 USD. Final compensation based on individual qualifications and experience.
Benefits include company stock or cash incentives, discounted stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program, medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, and paid parental leave.
Working Conditions
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.
Employment Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including ITAR, employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), lawfully admitted refugee, or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce.