Senior GNC Engineer II- Mission Formulation
Rocket Lab Corporation· Aerospace & Defense· Jul 8, 2026 · 4mo agoPosted 111 days ago
Littleton, CO · Long Beach, CA
In office
Full-time
Senior
$137K–$186K est.
5+ years exp
Before you apply
Ghost Signal:
Open since July 8, 2026 — 111 days, and still accepting applications.
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. SENIOR GNC ENGINEER II - MISSION FORMULATION
Based out of Rocket Lab’s site in Littleton, CO, the Senior GNC Engineer II - 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 Senior GNC Engineer I/II level.)
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 POST, ASTOS, TAOS 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 occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. 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) $140,300 — $210,350 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.
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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com. 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.
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Keywords to mirror
python
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- Effort
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Benefits
Benefits detected in the listing.
Dental
Vision
401(K)
Parental Leave