Business Development Lead, Separation Systems Components

Rocket Lab - Events; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted employee stock purchase

Flex schedule

Free breakfast and lunch catered 2x/wk

Free snacks/drinks

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Business Development Lead for Separation Systems Components in Silver Spring, MD. You will serve as the primary interface between customers and engineering/production, drafting proposals, tracking opportunities, and forecasting demand while maintaining technical documentation and coordinating cross-functional teams.

The role requires a mechanical or aerospace engineering degree, 5+ years in aerospace BD/program management, and up to 30% travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or other technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in business development, program management, or systems engineering within the aerospace sector.
• Ability to travel (up to 30%) to meet with customers, attend industry events, and support capture efforts.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely responses to customer technical inquiries regarding Separation Systems products.
• Draft proposals for new business opportunities, including Compliance Matrices to customer requirements.
• Use RL CRM to track leads, opportunities, and proposals and generate KPIs.
• Monitor sales performance and forecast demand on a product-by-product basis.
• Maintain and improve customer-facing technical documentation and work with Engineering to address gaps.
• Provide insight into customer demand to support strategic product decisions.
• Support the BD team with quotes and follow-ups and assist pre-contract activities.
• Collaborate with Communications on campaigns and manage marketing collateral.

Skills

Business development experience

Travel readiness

RL CRM

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or related field

Tools

RL CRM

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

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.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD, SEPARATION SYSTEMS COMPONENTS

Based out of Rocket Lab’s site in Silver Spring, Maryland, the Business Development Lead, Separation Systems is the primary interface between separation system customers and the engineering, production, and management teams. You will report directly to the Director of Business Development, Separation Systems, and your primary responsibilities will include:

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Provide timely responses to all customer technical inquiries regarding Rocket Lab Separation Systems products.
• Draft proposals for new business opportunities, including Compliance Matrices to customer technical, programmatic, and product assurance requirements.
• Use Rocket Lab internal tools such as the RL CRM to track leads, opportunities, and proposals, and generate related KPIs.
• Monitor sales performance and generate forecasted demand on a product-by-product basis.
• Track the pipeline trend/fluctuations with total pipeline and in-forecast pipeline breakout.
• Maintain and improve customer-facing technical documentation, and work with the Engineering team to address any technical gaps.
• Provide insight into customer demand and perspective to support strategic product decisions.
• Support the Business Development team by generating quotes and follow up on pending items.
• Support Program Management with pre-contract activities such as customer onboarding, including product application scope, delivery schedules, negotiations, and relevant export compliance documentation.
• Collaborate with the Communications team throughout communications campaigns and manage marketing material or other business unit collaterals.
• Remain current on the latest satellite competitive landscape, customer demand, and market trends to support sales forecasting, pricing strategy, business plans and product development roadmap.
• Ability to take ownership and action on challenges and step up to manage tough situations while encouraging colleagues to do the same.
• Participate in key conferences by scheduling and supporting customer meetings, managing demonstration hardware logistics, conducting demonstrations, and supporting prospective customer conversations.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering or other technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in business development, program management, or systems engineering within the aerospace sector.
• Ability to travel (up to 30%) to meet with customers, attend industry events, and support capture efforts.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with or exposure to design, manufacture, and/or test of spacecraft Separation System hardware.
• Experience with space-based product lines.
• Highly organized and able to solve problems independently, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with team members having diverse skillsets and expertise.
• Ability to communicate complex issues clearly to customers, staff, and executives.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Sales management experience and familiarity with diverse business functions such as sales, marketing, public relations, finance, and operations.
• Awareness of current commercial and government satellite programs.
• Experience working with dynamic, geographically dispersed teams on fast-paced projects.
• Practiced with the use of customer relationship management software.
• Strong understanding of cost modeling and pricing principles and performance management principles.
• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or related engineering field (electrical, mechanical, computer science, etc.).

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.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

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 HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 7 days sick leave per year, 11 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: discounted employee stock purchase program, flex schedule, free breakfast and lunch catered 2x/week, and free snacks/drinks.

Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

Base Pay Range (MD Only)

$100,000—$125,000 USD

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.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

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 [e-mail]. 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 CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

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.