GNC Engineer I - Electron

Job Description

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 humanity's 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 Lab's 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 the world's 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.

GNC ENGINEER I - ELECTRON

In this role you will be responsible for general 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.

WHAT YOU'LL 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

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's, bachelor's or higher degree in Aerospace, Mechatronics or equivalent qualification

• A thorough fundamental understanding of orbital mechanics

• A good theoretical and/or practical understanding of rigid body dynamics

• 1-2 years of experience developing software

• 1-2 years of relevant aerospace engineering experience (including rocketry experience)

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with optimization for launch-vehicle or spacecraft missions

• Experience with Python or MATLAB

• Experience with GMAT or STK

• Experience in development/implementation of a basic 3DOF propagator for LEO, lunar, or interplanetary trajectory from fundamental equations of motion

If the above sounds like you apply now!

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 ac

Minimum Qualifications

Master's, bachelor's or higher degree in Aerospace, Mechatronics or equivalent qualification • A thorough fundamental understanding of orbital mechanics • A good theoretical and/or practical understanding of rigid body dynamics • 1-2 years of experience developing software • 1-2 years of relevant aerospace engineering experience (including rocketry experience)