Business Development Director, Satellites - TS/SCI Clearance
Rocketlab
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Rocketlab is seeking a Business Development Director for Satellites in Washington, DC, to lead initiatives aimed at driving growth in the satellite market. This role focuses primarily on national security opportunities, requiring strong relationship management and engagement with potential clients.
The ideal candidate should possess a bachelor’s degree in engineering, with over 12 years of experience in business development within the aerospace sector. The position offers a competitive salary, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
Qualifications
- 12+ years of experience in business development, program management, or systems engineering.
- In‑depth knowledge of government acquisition processes.
- Proven track record of managing strategic relationships.
Responsibilities
- Lead business development initiatives focused on satellite solutions for defense applications.
- Develop capture strategies for securing large defense or civil space contracts.
- Engage with key customer stakeholders to build relationships.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
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.
Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.
Rocket Lab’s Business Development team is responsible for connecting customers across government and commercial sectors with our industry leading mission solutions spanning launch and space systems. They work closely with new and existing customers to understand their needs and develop tailored solutions to deliver their missions. Building and maintaining relationships with customers and internally with engineering and operations teams is at the core of our Business Development team. They have their fingers on the pulse of the space industry and are driven to deliver results for our customers and our business.
Based at Rocket Lab's site in Washington, DC, as the Business Development Director, Satellites, you will drive Rocket Lab’s growth in the satellite market. You will work with a range of customers, but primarily focused on national security opportunities. Your role will involve identifying and engaging with potential clients, developing strategic partnerships, and leading efforts to secure contracts that expand our market share in this rapidly growing sector.
- Lead business development initiatives focused on satellite solutions for defense applications
- Develop and execute capture strategies for securing large defense or civil space contracts, including those with government agencies and prime contractors
- Engage with key customer stakeholders to build and maintain long‑term relationships, ensuring Rocket Lab’s solutions align with their evolving needs
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to prepare and deliver compelling proposals that meet customer requirements and win new business
- Monitor industry trends and competitor activities to inform and adapt our business development strategies
- Grow existing business opportunities and nurture relationships with existing customers to develop additional business opportunities
- Create new business opportunities and relationships by presenting Rocket Lab’s capabilities/experience to provide satellite solutions – including bus offerings and complete satellites to meet mission requirements
- Lead and/or participate in proposal activities, including generation of technical, management, cost, schedule, and proposal content for new business
- Develop strong relationships across all levels of the business to ensure alignment, efficiency, and collaboration, including coordinating with stakeholders
- Represent Rocket Lab at industry conferences and customer meetings
- Travel as needed for business opportunities
- Other duties as assigned or required
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline
- 12+ years of experience in business development, program management, or systems engineering within the aerospace sector
- In‑depth knowledge of government acquisition processes, government contracting, and the national security landscape
- Proven track record of securing large (>$20M) contracts and managing strategic relationships within the aerospace industry
- Active TS/SCI security clearance
- Ability to support frequent domestic and international travel (up to 50%) to meet with clients, attend industry events, and support capture efforts
- Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or related engineering field; or business
- Specialization in US government business development, with deep experience selling to US national security (Space Force, NRO, SDA, etc.) or US Civil Space (NASA, NOAA, etc.)
- Demonstrable record of success in business development, sales, program management and/or engineering of satellite systems, payloads, or platforms
- Extensive awareness of current/ongoing US Government national security or civil space satellite programs
- Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
- Experience leading, managing, and growing geographically dispersed teams on fast‑paced projects
- Proficient in all Microsoft Suite products, including MS Project
- General knowledge of industry specific technical requirements and quality requirements
- Experience using customer relationship management (CRM) software
- Experience with proposal development, writing, and best practice capture processes, and ability to independently complete cost and technical proposals
- Experience working with subject matter experts to collect and create compelling proposal content and detailed responses
$180,000 – $250,000 USD
Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including top‑tier medical PPO and a 100% company‑sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, three weeks paid vacation and five days sick leave per year, eleven paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include a discounted employee stock purchase program and other discounts.
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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com. 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.
Active TS/SCI security clearance required.
For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to 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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