Jobs at Rocket Lab

Design, model, analyze, and test guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) for launch and mission formulation. Perform trajectory design and optimization, Monte Carlo and HITL testing, develop flight code and automation tools, support proposals and customer reviews, and collaborate across engineering and production for classified and commercial missions.

Lead and manage software development and integration for spacecraft networking (routers, radios, laser comms). Oversee subcontractors, define KPIs, plan integrations and tests, run agile ceremonies, develop simulation/test approaches, maintain roadmaps and software standards, and ensure systems engineering and security requirements are met. Must handle government program constraints and coordinate cross-functional teams to meet program milestones.

Perform trajectory design and analysis for launch vehicles and spacecraft, including orbital propagation, rendezvous, station-keeping, maneuver planning, collision avoidance, mission design support, simulation tool development, and real-time mission operations and anomaly response.

Develop and test embedded flight software and hardware drivers (IMUs, star trackers, reaction wheels) for spacecraft running on RTOS or Embedded Linux. Write unit tests in a CI framework, collaborate on requirements and design reviews, support hardware-in-the-loop testing, and assist with on-orbit operations.

Perform tracking, navigation, trajectory planning, maneuver design, and collision avoidance for Earth, lunar, and interplanetary missions. Develop and analyze ascent, orbit insertion, orbital maneuvers, rendezvous, and station-keeping; support mission design, launch windows, delta-V budgets, contingency planning, and real-time operations. Interface with flight software and GNC, produce trajectory data products, contribute to simulation tools, and support anomaly response and post-launch analysis.

Design and implement spacecraft GNC and ADCS algorithms and flight software, develop autonomy and constellation management tools, perform HIL and Monte Carlo simulation, select GNC components, define fault detection and response, support integration, testing, operations, and coordinate cross-functional teams and customer interactions to ensure mission success.

Manage software development for embedded systems related to communication in spacecraft, overseeing contractors and integrating secure network systems.

Lead design, documentation, and execution of tests for spacecraft avionics. Write and run test scripts to validate HW/SW interfaces and requirements, author test plans and reports, design/ procure test fixtures, troubleshoot with flight software and GNC teams, and support hardware delivery at customer/vendor sites.