Construction Project Director

InvestedintheMission; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 215,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top tier medical coverage

Dental and vision coverage

3 weeks vacation + 5 sick days

Job summary

Rocket Lab in California is seeking a Construction Project Director to lead end-to-end capital projects across aerospace manufacturing and test facilities. You will own scoping, budgeting, scheduling, permitting, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning, ensuring safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

You will drive multi-year capital plans, ROI analysis, and contractor negotiations while partnering with Manufacturing, Engineering, Test Operations, and Supply Chain to support

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive experience in construction project management.
• 5+ years leading large-scale industrial or manufacturing construction projects.
• Experience delivering capital projects $20M–$200M+.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Expertise in contract negotiation, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end strategy for construction and facilities development across aerospace manufacturing and test sites.
• Oversee all phases of construction projects, including scoping, budgeting, scheduling, permitting, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
• Own capital project budgets, forecasts, and financial controls; evaluate ROI and lifecycle costs.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Test Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure facility designs support production throughput and scalability.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Contract negotiation

Budgeting & scheduling

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Regulatory & safety knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

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.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DIRECTOR

The Construction Project Director is a senior leadership role responsible for planning, executing, and delivering large‑scale construction and facilities projects that support aerospace manufacturing, test operations, R&D environments, and mission‑critical infrastructure. The leader oversees all phases of capital construction – from concept and design through commissioning – ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to aerospace‑grade safety and quality standards.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO

• Strategic Leadership & Planning – Lead the end‑to‑end strategy for construction and facilities development across aerospace manufacturing and test sites. Translate long‑range operational needs into facility and infrastructure roadmaps. Develop multi‑year capital plans and ensure alignment with corporate growth objectives. Provide executive‑level reporting, risk assessments, and recommendations.
• Project Management & Execution – Oversee all phases of construction projects, including scoping, budgeting, scheduling, permitting, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning. Manage multiple concurrent projects ranging from high‑bay manufacturing facilities to clean rooms, test stands, labs, and specialized aerospace infrastructure. Ensure strict adherence to aerospace‑grade quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Capital Budgeting & Financial Oversight – Own capital project budgets, forecasts, and financial controls. Evaluate ROI, payback, and lifecycle cost impacts for major construction investments. Lead contractor bidding, negotiation, and contract management.
• Cross‑Functional Partnership – Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Test Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure facility designs support production throughput, equipment installation, and future scalability. Partner with EHS to ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and aerospace‑specific safety requirements. Coordinate with local jurisdictions, permitting agencies, and regulatory bodies.
• Vendor, Contractor & Stakeholder Management – Select, negotiate, and manage general contractors, architects, engineers, and specialty vendors. Ensure contractor performance meets cost, schedule, and quality expectations. Lead weekly construction reviews, site walks, and executive updates.
• Risk, Compliance & Safety – Identify and mitigate construction risks, schedule delays, cost overruns, and scope changes. Ensure all construction activities comply with aerospace industry standards, building codes, and environmental regulations. Champion a culture of safety across all job sites.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS

• 12+ years of progressive experience in construction project management and a bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of work experience (16+ years of total work experience).
• 5+ years leading large‑scale industrial or manufacturing construction projects.
• Proven experience delivering capital projects $20M–$200M+.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Expertise in contract negotiation, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management.
• Ability to work prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

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 & 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 insurance, life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts

Other perks include discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts. 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 (CA only) $170,000—$215,000 USD.

EEO AND LEGAL STATEMENTS

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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR US AND NEW ZEALAND CANDIDATES

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, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations. For NewZealand offices, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers, with nationality checks as a requirement for access to equipment and data regulated by ITAR. For more information, please refer to our ITAR Regulations.