Construction Project Director

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

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Medical benefits

Dental & Vision

401(k) match

Paid time off

Sick leave

HSA

EV charging

Onsite gym

Stock purchase plan

Employee discounts

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Construction Project Director in California to lead large-scale aerospace facilities and manufacturing construction initiatives.

The role oversees concept through commissioning, ensuring safety, schedule, and budget alignment while coordinating with Manufacturing, Engineering, Test Operations, and Supply Chain for scalable infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive experience in construction project management or similar.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end strategy for construction and facilities development across aerospace sites.
• Oversee all phases of projects from scoping to commissioning, ensuring safety and quality.
• Own capital project budgets, forecasts, and financial controls; evaluate ROI and lifecycle costs.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Test Operations, and Supply Chain to support production throughput.
• Manage contractors and vendors; lead weekly reviews and executive updates.
• Identify and mitigate risks, costs, and schedule delays; ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Construction PM

Budgeting

Scheduling

Contract negotiations

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

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. Our rockets and satellites enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation, climate‑change initiatives, national security, and cutting‑edge technology demonstrations.

Rocket Lab’s Facilities team is responsible for maintenance, operations, and improvement projects across our locations, ensuring the spaces our teams work in are well‑maintained and fully operational.

Construction Project Director

The Construction Project Director is a senior leadership role that plans, executes, and delivers large‑scale construction and facilities projects supporting aerospace manufacturing, test operations, R&D environments, and mission‑critical infrastructure. This leader oversees all phases of capital construction—concept, design, commissioning—ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to aerospace‑grade safety and quality standards.

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 align them 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.

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.

Compensation & Benefits

Level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Employees may also receive company equity and a robust benefits package that includes top‑tier medical HMO, PPO & 100% company‑sponsored medical HSA plan, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation, 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include a discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and additional discounts. Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status. Base Pay Range (CA Only): $170,000 USD – $215,000 USD.

Important Information

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab employees must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, or others eligible for U.S. government authorizations. FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN U.S. OFFICES ONLY: Applicants must comply with ITAR and have the required authorizations. FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY: Background checks, including nationality checks, will be conducted. Eligibility is required for access to equipment and data regulated by the United States' ITAR. Applicants not holding eligible citizenships may be ineligible. Under these regulations, certain dual citizenships or nationalities may affect eligibility.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants 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 any term 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 applying/interviewing. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.