GNC Engineer II/ Senior GNC Engineer I - Mission Formulation
Rocketlab · Littleton, CO · Posted Jul 1, 2026
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ABOUT ROCKET LAB
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.
Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.
GNC ENGINEER II/ SENIOR GNC ENGINEER I - MISSION FORMULATION
Based out of Rocket Lab’s site in Littleton, CO, the GNC Engineer II/ Senior GNC Engineer I - Mission Formulation is responsible for Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) design, modeling, analyses, and testing for Rocket Lab launches and missions. You'll play an integral part of Rocket Lab’s 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, you'll be responsible for conducting trades studies, preliminary and final mission analyses, and definition and implementation of detailed designs for Rocket Lab’s 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 YOU’LL 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
Develop tools and processes for automating common GNC modelling and analysis tasks
(Please note: This position can be hired at the GNC Engineer II or Senior GNC Engineer I level.)
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS GNC ENGINEER II:
Bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS
Understanding of orbital mechanics and/ or closed-loop control systems, preferably launch vehicles
Experience with trajectory optimization
Proven experience developing real-time control and/or estimation algorithms in autonomous vehicles, preferably launch vehicles
Active Secret security clearance OR Ability to obtain and maintain one
YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS SENIOR GNC ENGINEER I:
Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of industry experience in GNC/ADCS
Understanding of orbital mechanics and/ or closed-loop control systems, preferably launch vehicles
Experience with trajectory optimization
Proven experience developing real-time control and/or estimation algorithms in autonomous vehicles, preferably launch vehicles
Active Secret security clearance OR Ability to obtain and maintain one
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
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 occasion…