Senior Program Manager I/II
About the role
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.
Responsibilities
- Manage multiple contracts, ensuring cost, risk, schedule, staffing resources, and technical performance of company programs or subsystems of major programs, addressing any issues or risks that arise
- Identify and mitigate potential risks to programs, develop contingency plans, develop and execute recovery plans, ensure timely resolution of issues, and track financial impacts
- Work on unusually complex technical problems and provide innovative solutions
- Lead team(s) of engineers in planning and executing test events and resolving issues encountered, both operational and technical
- Build and deliver effective presentations to communicate program status and plans with little direction
- Communicate effectively with team members across disciplines, with project management, and particularly with customers
- Maintain clear and consistent communication and foster strong relationships with a wide range of internal stakeholders, particularly with functional teams and executive leadership
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with key customers, partners, and stakeholders
- Lead program and customer meetings and reviews
- Lead technical interchange meetings with the team members and other project personnel and represent the organization in matters pertaining to project development
- Lead and mentor junior technical staff and program support resources, providing guidance and support as needed
- Develop and closely track Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for projects and manage Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics (as required)
- Support, and influence/lead where required, proposal and ECP efforts
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, or other field
- 5+ years of experience in managing technical projects for the US Government
- Proven ability to lead a team to the completion of program and project milestones
- Hands-on expertise with active optical systems
- Experience with space EO payloads, test plan development, astronomy, physics, electronics, software, and/or remote-sensing
- Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
- U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements
Qualifications for Senior Program Manager I
- Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, or other field
- 8+ years of experience in managing technical projects for the US Government
- Proven ability to lead a team to the completion of program and project milestones
- Hands-on expertise with active optical systems
- Experience with space EO payloads, test plan development, astronomy, physics, electronics, software, and/or remote-sensing
- Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
- U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements
Qualifications for Senior Program Manager II
- Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, or other field
- 8+ years of experience in managing technical projects for the US Government
- Proven ability to lead a team to the completion of program and project milestones
- Hands-on expertise with active optical systems
- Experience with space EO payloads, test plan development, astronomy, physics, electronics, software, and/or remote-sensing
- Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
- U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements
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.