Construction Project Director

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 to 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.

About the Role

The Construction Project Director is a senior leadership role responsible for planning, executing, and delivering large-scale construction and facilities projects that support aerospace manufacturing, test operations, R&D environments, and mission-critical infrastructure. This leader oversees all phases of capital construction – from concept and design through commissioning – ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to aerospace-grade safety and quality standards. The Director partners closely with Facilities, Manufacturing, Engineering, EHS, Supply Chain, and Executive Leadership to ensure new facilities, expansions, and infrastructure upgrades align with long-term operational and production goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end strategy for construction and facilities development across aerospace manufacturing and test sites.
• Translate long-range operational needs into facility and infrastructure roadmaps.
• Develop multi-year capital plans and ensure alignment with corporate growth objectives.
• Provide executive-level reporting, risk assessments, and recommendations.
• Oversee all phases of construction projects, including scoping, budgeting, scheduling, permitting, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects ranging from high-bay manufacturing facilities to clean rooms, test stands, labs, and specialized aerospace infrastructure.
• Ensure strict adherence to aerospace-grade quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Own capital project budgets, forecasts, and financial controls.
• Evaluate ROI, payback, and lifecycle cost impacts for major construction investments.
• Lead contractor bidding, negotiation, and contract management.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Test Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure facility designs support production throughput, equipment installation, and future scalability.
• Partner with EHS to ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and aerospace-specific safety requirements.
• Coordinate with local jurisdictions, permitting agencies, and regulatory bodies.
• Select, negotiate, and manage general contractors, architects, engineers, and specialty vendors.
• Ensure contractor performance meets cost, schedule, and quality expectations.
• Lead weekly construction reviews, site walks, and executive updates.
• Identify and mitigate construction risks, schedule delays, cost overruns, and scope changes.
• Ensure all construction activities comply with aerospace industry standards, building codes, and environmental regulations.
• Champion a culture of safety across all job sites.

Requirements

• 12+ years of progressive experience in construction project management and a bachelor's degree or equivalent years of work experience (16+ years of total work experience).
• 5+ years leading large-scale industrial or manufacturing construction projects.
• Proven experience delivering capital projects $20M–$200M+.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Expertise in contract negotiation, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management.

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.

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.