Senior GNC Engineer

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a comprehensive space enterprise engaged in the design and manufacture of rockets, spacecraft, and essential subsystems that support global connectivity, security, and human exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Our team rapidly develops tangible hardware for impactful missions, consistently turning ambitious goals into reality.

The Electron team is pivotal in constructing, evaluating, and launching the Electron rocket from facilities in the United States and New Zealand. Electron ranks among the most frequently launched rockets worldwide, driven by a dedicated group committed to reliability and swift delivery to launch pads.

Position Overview

As a Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Engineer, you will undertake mission design efforts such as trajectory planning and optimization, auto-sequence creation, Monte Carlo simulations, configuration oversight, and other mission, launch operation, validation, and verification activities. Your role also involves developing GNC flight software, algorithm/model formulation, analyzing hardware performance in GNC, and flight data evaluation. Supporting and mentoring the GNC team in collaboration with the GNC Team Lead is also a key responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Optimizing and designing trajectories for orbital and suborbital launch vehicle missions.
• Planning, executing, and verifying auto-sequence designs encompassing maneuvers, telemetry, and ground station communications during flight, stack tests, and wet dress rehearsals.
• Analyzing and translating optimized 3 DOF trajectories for implementation in 6 DOF and real flight scenarios.
• Conducting Monte Carlo analyses before, during, and after launches.
• Designing and verifying spacecraft separation sequences and dynamic behavior.
• Contributing to GNC Research & Development and support across Electron, Neutron, and additional programs, including core GNC R&D in guidance, navigation, and control.
• Developing and maintaining vehicle parameter models, prediction tools, and configuration control.
• Designing and improving 6 DOF simulators.
• Assisting with launch operations and hardware-in-the-loop testing (HITL).
• Adhering to health and safety policies, ensuring proper personal protective equipment is used, and promptly reporting any near misses or incidents.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degree in Electronics, Software, Mechatronics, or Aerospace Engineering.
• Minimum of five years’ experience programming in C or C++, including embedded systems or high-reliability software development.
• At least five years of development experience using Python or MATLAB.
• Proven ability to perform well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and capability to foster effective professional relationships.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience with optimization techniques relevant to launch vehicle or spacecraft missions.
• Familiarity with GMAT, STK, ASTOS, and/or POST software tools.
• Published works in guidance, navigation, control, or related technical domains.

Additional Information

At Rocket Lab, we strive to harness space's vast potential to improve life on Earth, requiring relentless innovation, teamwork, resilience, and a commitment to challenging the impossible. Our culture emphasizes mutual support, humility, hands-on involvement, and focus on achievement rather than obstacles. We thrive under pressure and prioritize delivery.

Location and Compliance

For US Candidates: Employment is subject to compliance with U.S. Government space technology export laws, including ITAR. Eligibility requires U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, refugee or asylum status, or ability to gain necessary government clearances.

For New Zealand Candidates: Background checks, including nationality verifications, are mandatory due to ITAR compliance requirements. Eligible candidates are citizens of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the EU, NATO countries, or possess appropriate dual nationality status.

Equal Opportunity

Rocket Lab is committed to equal opportunity employment, prohibiting discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic under applicable laws. This policy spans all employment aspects from recruitment to compensation.