Senior GNC Engineer II- Mission Formulation

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.

SENIOR GNC ENGINEER II - MISSION FORMULATION

Based out of Rocket Labs global headquarters in Long Beach CA or Littleton CO the Sr. GNC Engineer II - Mission Formulation is responsible for Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) design modeling analyses and testing for Rocket Lab launches and missions. The Sr. GNC Engineer is an integral part of Rocket Labs Global Launch Services (GLS) Mission Formulation Team which works closely with other Engineering teams and Production to bring new launch and mission concepts to life.

As part of the Mission Formulation team the Sr. GNC Engineer is responsible for conducting trades studies preliminary and final mission analyses and definition and implementation of detailed designs for Rocket Labs launch programs. This team is also primarily responsible for the formulation and implementation of launches and missions for classified missions on HASTE and Electron launch vehicles.

Success in this position will be measured by the value of the knowledge and experience in launch vehicle design and mission experience that you bring into this role your ability to contribute to projects without supervision successful collaboration with other teams across Rocket Lab and the skillful prioritization of competing engineering projects across the group.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:
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
Verify readiness of AFTS (Automated Flight Termination System) hardware and software
Develop tools and processes for automating common GNC modelling and analysis tasks

QUALIFICATIONS YOULL BRING:
Bachelors 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 POST ASTOS TAOS or similar mission analysistrajectory optimization vehicle design andsimulationtools
Strong communication skills with the 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

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.

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.