Principal Spacecraft GNC EngineerLittleton, CO
Rocket Lab USA - Littleton, Colorado, United States, 80125
Work at Rocket Lab USA
Overview
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Overview
Based out of Rocket Lab's site in Littleton, CO, the Principal Spacecraft Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Engineer is responsible for leading GNC and ADCS development for Rocket Lab's growing fleet of diverse spacecraft. You will demonstrate a firm grasp of spacecraft GNC concepts and applications. You will work with all facets of the engineering life cycle: spacecraft concept and algorithm development, flight software implementation, subsystem requirements development, detailed GNC design, subsystem integration & test (I&T), and vehicle I&T. You will be responsible for planning and maintaining the development schedule to support the Space Systems Software organization in executing leading edge programs and products. You will work closely with related teams, including Systems, Avionics, Flight Software, Mission Operations, and Ground Software. You will also directly interact with customers to ensure mission success. What You'll Get To Do: Mentor a team responsible for GNC design, modeling, and analysis for a wide variety of spacecraft and space missions to include LEO, MEO, GEO, Lunar, Interplanetary, Reentry, and RPOD Design of flight software, algorithms, and simulation product 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 Coordinate with teams in Denver, Colorado and New Zealand You'll Bring These Qualifications: BS and 12+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS 2+ years of RPOD design and operations experience Prior experience directly interfacing with aerospace customers in the commercial or government sectors These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have: MS or PhD Experience in Jira planning and workflow Prior experiencing mentoring a team of younger engineers 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 (not necessarily a spacecraft, not necessarily a whole GNC system) Prior experience working multiple projects simultaneously and determining priorities for a team Experience with GNC-related Business Development or conceptual design work Additional Requirements: Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing Must be physically able to commute to buildings Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. Base salary is only one part of Rocket Lab's compensation package for this role. You may be eligible for company stock, or cash incentives, and can purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab's Employee Stock Purchase Program. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks. Base Pay Range (CO Only) $165,000 - $235,000 USD 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.