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, a medium-lift reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. The Space Systems business designs and builds satellites, payloads and components, including spacecraft selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars.
The Role
Based in Long Beach, CA, the GNC Engineer II - Mission Formulation is responsible for Guidance Navigation and Control design, modeling, analyses, and testing for Rocket Lab launches and missions. You will be part of the Global Launch Services Mission Formulation Team, working closely with Engineering and Production to bring new launch and mission concepts to life.
You will conduct trade studies, preliminary and final mission analyses, and define and implement detailed designs for Rocket Lab's launch programs. This team is primarily responsible for 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 concepts
- 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 plan daily workflow to meet higher level tasks
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary range (CA only): $115,000 - $144,000 USD. Base salary is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Benefits include: medical HMO, PPO and 100% company-sponsored HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 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, 401(k) retirement plan with company match, discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts. Eligibility for benefits varies based on employment status.
Work Environment
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.
Important Information
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce.