Daniel Guerrant
About Daniel Guerrant
Daniel Guerrant is a Principal Engineer at Rocket Lab, where he has worked since 2017. He has a strong background in aerospace engineering, with experience in both military and commercial sectors.
Work at Rocket Lab
Daniel Guerrant has served as a Principal Engineer at Rocket Lab since 2017. He is based in Littleton, Colorado, where he leads a team of five engineers. His responsibilities include developing trajectory, orbit determination algorithms, and flight software for NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services landers and orbiters. Guerrant has played a significant role in the development of dynamical models and guidance and control algorithms for Rocket Lab's flagship MAX Spacecraft Flight Software.
Previous Experience in the US Navy
Before joining Rocket Lab, Daniel Guerrant worked as a Division Officer in the US Navy from 2005 to 2010. His tenure included five years at Bangor Base in Washington, where he gained valuable experience in leadership and operational management.
Experience at Lockheed Martin
Daniel Guerrant worked at Lockheed Martin as a Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer for one year, from 2015 to 2016. His role involved developing systems that support guidance and navigation, contributing to his expertise in aerospace engineering.
Education and Expertise
Daniel Guerrant holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder, which he completed from 2010 to 2015. He also earned a Master of Science (MS) in the same field from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, where he studied from 2004 to 2005. Additionally, Guerrant obtained a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, completing his degree in 2005.
Key Projects and Contributions
At Rocket Lab, Daniel Guerrant led the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) team for constellation autonomy on DARPA’s Pit Boss and Blackjack programs. He developed software for autonomous payload data collection using Docker containers, showcasing his technical skills and leadership in complex aerospace projects.