Principal Spacecraft GNC Engineer/Lead

4 weeks ago


Long Beach, California, United States Rocket Lab Full time
About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a global leader in launch and space systems, enabling some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally. Our Electron rocket has provided reliable access to orbit since 2018, becoming one of the most frequently launched rockets in the world.

Space Systems

Rocket Lab's Space Systems team is responsible for designing, creating, and putting together our own satellites for missions across the commercial, government, and defense sectors. We're looking for a Principal Spacecraft GNC Engineer/Lead to lead GNC and ADCS development for our growing fleet of diverse spacecraft.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead a team responsible for GNC design, modeling, and analysis for a wide variety of spacecraft and space missions.
  • Design of flight software, algorithms, and simulation products.
  • Development of spacecraft autonomy tools for constellation management.
  • GNC component selection and GNC subsystem design.
  • Test process development and execution.
  • Define fault detection and response.
  • Hardware-in-the-loop and monte carlo simulation.
  • Integration of flight and simulation software with modern analysis, test, and operations tools.
  • Support internal and external design reviews.
  • Work with department leads and program managers to plan and maintain team schedule and milestones and report technical status.
Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, aerospace engineering or similar technical discipline.
  • 10+ years' experience with C++ or similar object-oriented programming language.
  • 3+ years of industry experience developing/operating spacecraft/satellites.
  • Knowledge of GNC sensors and actuators.
  • Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, or similar.
  • Prior experience leading a team of three or more direct reports.
  • Prior experience directly interfacing with aerospace customers in the commercial or government sectors.
Preferred Qualifications
  • MS or PhD.
  • Experience in Jira planning and workflow.
  • Hands-on experience with IMU, reaction wheels, star trackers, gyroscopes, and other GNC hardware.
  • Experience developing blended attitude solutions from a variety of sensor data.
  • Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and verifying flight software.
  • Demonstrated experience with spacecraft on-orbit operations and anomaly resolution.
  • Prior experience leading a team across a project lifecycle.
  • Prior experience working multiple projects simultaneously and determining priorities for a team.
  • Experience with GNC-related Business Development or conceptual design work.


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