GNC Mission Design Intern

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Rocket Lab

Auckland, NZ

On-site

Posted March 26, 2026

Job Description

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 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.

Engineering is at the heart of Rocket Lab. Our engineering team has a proven track record of designing and developing world-class rockets and spacecraft that are changing the way we access and use space. You’ll work alongside driven, talented engineers from varied backgrounds and experience levels, all committed to the same mission. Our engineering team members span design, analysis, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, assembly and integration, quality control, engineering documentation, and more.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

The Electron GNC Mission Design Intern gets the opportunity to design Electron missions under the guidance of an expert Mission Designer! This may include mission design, auto-sequence planning, Monte Carlo analysis, configuration management, launch operations, data analysis, and many more.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

Assisting with auto sequence design (maneuvers, telemetry, ground station contacts), implementation and verification for orbital 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 and post-flight analysis
Design and verification of spacecraft separation sequences and dynamics

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

A final or penultimate year student studying a master’s, bachelor’s degree or higher degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Software, Mechatronics, Aerospace or equivalent qualification
Experience developing in Python or MATLAB
Experience with Git version control
A thorough theoretical and/or practical understanding of rigid and/or flexible body dynamics, particularly 6DOF rocket dynamics
Understanding of orbital mechanics and/or closed-loop control systems

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

Experience with optimization for launch-vehicle or spacecraft missions
Experience with flight simulator or flight software development for UAVs, rockets, or spacecraft
Experience with launch vehicle or spacecraft dynamics and modelling
Experience in developing models from fundamental principles and validating through test
Experience with optimization for launch-vehicle or spacecraft missions
Experience working in a continuous integration environment

If the above sounds like you apply now!

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