Head of Mission Design & Flight Dynamics

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!** **ABOUT SPACE SYSTEMS AT ROCKET LAB:** Our Space Systems division delivers some of the industry’s most ambitious missions, including NASA’s CAPSTONE lunar mission, orbital re-entry enabling microgravity manufacturing, and twin spacecraft launched to Mars in partnership with UC Berkeley and NASA. We design and build everything from bespoke satellites to full constellations, supported by vertically integrated, in‑house components that enable speed, precision, and constant innovation. As the Head of Mission Design & Flight Dynamics, you will lead the discipline across all missions and locations, spanning analysis, development, and operations. This role could be based in New Zealand or the U.S. **WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:** - Own the vision and direction of the Mission Design & Flight Dynamics technology roadmap, balancing live mission delivery with long-term capability growth. - Drive measurable progress toward greater automation, efficiency, and expanded operational capability. - Provide mentorship, clarity of vision, prioritisation, and motivation to the Flight Dynamics team during development phases and operational campaigns. - Lead a global multi-site team, supported by regional Team Leads who manage day-to-day execution. - Focus on strategic leadership, technical forecasting, emergent risk response, and cross-functional decision making. - Maintain strong technical awareness across interfaces including Spacecraft Operations, FSW, GNC, GSW, and Systems. **WHAT YOU'LL BRING:** - Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Aerospace Engineering or a related field - 8+ years of applied spacecraft flight dynamics and/or operations experience, including relevant software development and testing - Strong capability to balance complex, parallel tasks - Able to operate under significant pressure in both operational and development environments - Proven ability to motivate geographically distributed teams and provide clarity through complex technical challenges - Background in orbit determination, or trajectory optimisation - Experience with hiring, performance, and remuneration cycles **WHY JOIN US?** Rocket Lab is one of the world’s most innovative space companies, where fast-paced missions and bold engineering shape the future of space. In this role, you’ll lead mission design for lunar, Martian, and Earth‑orbiting spacecraft while influencing next‑generation technology and working with exceptional teams pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. 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 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](https://urldefense.us/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.pmddtc.state.gov_-3Fid-3Dddtc-5Fkb-5Farticle-5Fpage-26sys-5Fid-3D24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987&d=DwMFog&c=N_fLK0KxmM34zjMadXHMx_SQYmXWO3FX0MRVr1hBcn4&r=prjnch9sxomG2ahCicblmM3m-FuPObepspoR1qvWq2I&m=ExC44mBPk2emo4Fr0xPSGZN0UraQ1ZtkDTxwR7iWw5rixcFQb-Wjlv7lJcecLldz&s=0lfm4LyRtFwK220WHBK11DGHWSVvVhQEcfa5G_2Nf18&e=).* *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.](mailto: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.](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/01/23/2020-00574/international-traffic-in-arms-regulations-us-munitions-list-categories-i-ii-and-iii)*