Senior GNC Engineer

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets spacecraft and critical subsystems that keep the world connected protected expand humanitys 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.

While other companies talk about it we do it!

ELECTRON:

Rocket Labs Electron team is responsible for building testing and launching our Electron rocket across our launch sites and test facilities in the United States and New Zealand. Electron is one of theworlds most frequently-launched rockets and our team behind its success are diligent move fast and have each others back to deliver a reliable rocket to the launch pad time and time again.

SENIOR GNC ENGINEER

In this role you will be responsible for:

• Mission design including trajectory design and optimization auto-sequence planning & design Monte Carlo analysis configuration management and any other mission design launch operations verification and validation tasks as required.
• GNC system development including writing GNC flight software developing algorithms and models analyzing GNC hardware performance analyzing flight data.
• Working with the GNC Team Lead to support and mentor the team.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Trajectory Optimization & Mission Design
  • Assisting with trajectory optimization/design for launch vehicle orbital missions and suborbital missions (HASTE).
  • Assisting with auto sequence design (maneuvers telemetry ground station contacts) implementation and verification for flight stack tests and wet dress rehearsals
  • Analysis and missionization of optimized 3DOF trajectories for implementation in 6DOF and flight scenarios
  • Monte-Carlo analysis pre-flight launch day and post-flight analysis
  • Design and verification of spacecraft separation sequences and dynamics
• GNC R&D / Support
  • Assisting with all areas of GNC development and maintenance for Electron Neutron and/or other programs including:
    • Core GNC R&D (Guidance Navigation and Control)
    • Vehicle parameter modelling / prediction and/or configuration control
    • 6DOF simulator design and development
    • Launch and HITL operations
• Health and Safety
  • Ensure health and safety policies and standard operating procedures are followed
  • Correct PPE is worn in designated areas
  • Near misses and incidents are reported promptly

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor Masters or Ph.D. in Electronics Software Mechatronics or Aerospace Engineering
• 5 years experience developing in C/C including some embedded or high reliability development
• 5 years experience developing in Python or MATLAB
• The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build strong working relationships

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with optimization for launch-vehicle or spacecraft missions
• Experience with GMATSTK ASTOS and/or POST
• Publications in the fields of guidance navigation control or other adjacent fields

If the above sounds like you apply now!

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats 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 others 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.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

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 (i.e. current Green Card holder) or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia Japan New Zealand Switzerland the European Union or a country that is part of NATO or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations click here ITAR Regulations.