Senior Program Manager I/II

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.

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in‑space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high‑performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world‑class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission‑critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space‑based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro‑optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior Program Manager I/II based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to lead efforts for EO space missions, ground‑based sensor networks, and the research and development of new and novel technologies. To be successful in this role, you must possess experience in managing programs including electronics, software, and EO sensors on space or ground systems. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

(Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Program Manager I or Senior Program Manager II level.)

• 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
• Work proactively to complete tasks and meet assigned deadlines with little direction
• 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
• Support travel or off‑site work as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, or other field
• 5+ years of experience in managing technical projects for the U.S. 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

• Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, or other field
• 8+ years of experience in managing technical projects for the U.S. 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

• Current SSBI clearance
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Self‑motivated and capable of performing tasks with minimal oversight
• Superior oral and written communication skills and sound problem‑solving skills
• Continuous improvement mindset and high attention to detail and accuracy
• Experience performing and working in a dynamic and high‑visibility role
• Excellent management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and deliver results within given constraints
• Internship or research experience supporting aerospace, defense, or optics‑related projects
• Exposure to MBSE concepts and tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler
• Familiarity with environmental testing flight hardware
• Experience with configuration management practices and systems engineering documentation
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including use of formulas and data analysis tools
• Interest in or background knowledge of astronomy, physics, imaging systems, or remote sensing

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing
• Must be physically able to commute to buildings
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise

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.

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 [email protected]. 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 security reasons background checks will be undertaken before 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.

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