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Senior Program Manager II(TS/SCI)

Rocket Lab · Long Beach, CA · 2 mo ago
On-siteSales$135k/yrFull-time

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 scientific exploration, Earth observation, climate change mitigation, national security, and new technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered over 230 satellites to orbit. We are also developing Neutron, a medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds satellites, payloads, and components, including spacecraft for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

About the Role

Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, you will serve as the program authority for one of our most sensitive next-generation mission platforms. You will own the technical roadmap and all major programmatic decisions—from the first blank-sheet prototype through flight qualification and into responsive production. This high-ownership role involves immersing yourself in the operational realities of the warfighter, translating their challenges into technical milestones, and becoming the central figure the entire program relies on.

Responsibilities

  • Command the Lifecycle: Build and lead the team that takes highly maneuverable, time-critical mission platforms from concept through qualification, responsive production, and flight, while owning the technical roadmap that grows the team’s core capabilities.
  • Lead the Team of Teams: Run multiple active programs simultaneously, make architectural decisions with Chief Engineers, navigate trade-offs in guidance and control, onboard autonomy, and propulsion, and personally address the most critical program challenges.
  • Build the Bench: Foster an engineering culture where strong individuals take smart, healthy risks, and the best ideas prevail, regardless of their source. Coach and develop the next generation of program and team leaders.
  • Own the P&L: Manage the program P&L on a Firm Fixed Price basis, including accurate forecasting, hitting revenue and margin milestones, preparing credible budgets, and making defensible Make/Buy decisions.
  • Forge the Supply Chain: Manage high-stakes subcontracts and suppliers as strategic partners to protect schedule and margin.
  • Unblock Excellence: Synchronize cross-functional teams across hardware, software, GNC, and mission assurance, clearing roadblocks quickly to maintain speed and quality.
  • Influence the Future: Serve as the primary point of contact for U.S. Government national security customers and collaborate with Business Development & Strategy on proposals and technical narratives defining the next generation of national security mission systems.

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, science, or other technical discipline.
  • 8+ years of experience in the aerospace/space industry.
  • 5+ years of technical program management experience.
  • Depth in at least one of the following domains:
    • Prototype-to-flight transition: Proven record of taking integrated hardware/software systems from early prototypes to fully qualified, flight-ready platforms.
    • EO/IR and optical payloads: Understanding of EO/IR sensing, optical payload architectures, or focal plane arrays.
    • Production engineering: Familiarity with takt time, line-of-balance, design-for-manufacturing principles, and learning-curve economics.
    • Manufacturing risk reduction: Experience identifying tooling, supply-chain, or yield risks and mitigating them before they impact throughput.
    • Advanced sensing and comms: Understanding of RADAR, SAR, or advanced communication system architectures.
  • Experience identifying technical, schedule, or supply-chain risk and neutralizing it before it impacts the mission.
  • Active TS/SCI clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Production Velocity: A playbook for transitioning low-volume prototypes into responsive production without sacrificing mission reliability.
  • Domain Authority: Deep experience navigating National Security Space (NSS) and time-critical mission sets.
  • Capture & Customer: Demonstrated success negotiating, capturing, and executing large U.S. Government contracts.
  • Advanced Technical Credibility: A master’s degree in engineering or a related field to peer-review technical roadmaps.
  • Systems & Toolchain Fluency: Proficiency in Systems Engineering (trade studies, interface control, requirement integrity) and tools like Jira, Confluence, and ERP to maintain program health visibility.

Work Environment

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.

Pay

Base Pay Range (CA Only): $135,000 USD - $201,000 USD. Level and base salary will be determined based on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

Benefits

  • Company equity and access to a robust benefits package, including:
    • Top-tier medical HMO, PPO, and a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option.
    • Dental and vision coverage.
    • 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year.
    • 11 paid holidays per year.
    • Flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts.
    • Paid parental leave.
    • Disability and life insurance.
    • 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
  • Additional perks:
    • Discounted employee stock purchase program.
    • Subsidized EV charging stations.
    • Onsite gym, food, and drinks.
    • Various discounts.

Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

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