Senior GNC Engineer II- Mission Formulation

About The Role

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.

The Senior GNC Engineer - Mission Formulation is based out of Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, and Littleton, CO. They are responsible for Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) design, modeling, analyses, and testing for Rocket Lab launches and missions. The role involves working closely with other Engineering teams and Production to bring new launch and mission concepts to life.

Responsibilities

• GNC contact to Business Development for proposals and mission definition
• Launch and mission operational concept development
• 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
• Conduct flight safety analyses prior to launch and provide related day-of-launch support
• Develop tools and processes for automating common GNC modelling and analysis tasks

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering)
• 8+ years working experience in an engineering or analytical role
• Proven experience developing real-time control and/or estimation algorithms in autonomous vehicles, preferably launch vehicles

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have:

• 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, with the ability to build strong working relationships
• Creative, analytical, and good at problem solving
• Able to work on own initiative and to plan daily workflow to meet higher level tasks

What To Expect

We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.