Director, Contracts

Rocket Lab Corp.; Long Beach, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Comprehensive benefits

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Rocket Lab is seeking a Director of Contracts to lead and develop a high-performing contracts team onsite at our Long Beach, CA facility. You will negotiate government and commercial agreements, ensure compliance, and guide contract strategy across programs.

You will mentor staff, review proposals, and shape cross-functional processes to optimize performance while maintaining strong government relationships and safeguarding company interests.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of work experience (16+ years total work experience).
• 12+ years of contract administration or contract management experience.
• US Citizenship is required due to program requirements.
• Ability to obtain a DoD Top Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate Government contracts, commercial contracts, non-disclosure agreements, teaming agreements and IP licenses.
• Ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of Government and commercial contracts, including prime contracts, and serve as the key customer interface for any contractual changes, disputes, or requests for equitable adjustment during contract performance.
• Assist in proposal review and preparation in response to Government and commercial solicitations and respond to government and commercial requests for information/clarification during a procurement competition.
• Review, interpret and provide advice to internal clients regarding contract provisions and agreement types.
• Develop and evolve processes for efficient contract management with cross-functional partners.
• Establish and maintain excellent relationships with Government and other customer counterparts.
• Management of a small team of contracts professionals at various levels of professional development.

Skills

Contract management

Leadership

Contract law

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (16+ years total work experience)

Job description

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.

DIRECTOR, CONTRACTS

Based onsite at one of Rocket Lab’s US Sites (Long Beach, CA, Silver Spring, MD, Denver, CO, Albuquerque, NM), the Director of Contracts will be responsible for helping to lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing contracts team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement to ensure that Rocket Lab meets its contractual obligations and performance milestones for its customers.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Negotiate Government contracts, commercial contracts, non-disclosure agreements, teaming agreements and IP licenses.
• Ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of Government and commercial contracts, including prime contracts, and serve as the key customer interface for any contractual changes, disputes, or requests for equitable adjustment during contract performance.
• Assist in proposal review and preparation in response to Government and commercial solicitations and respond to government and commercial requests for information/clarification during a procurement competition.
• Review, interpret and provide advice to internal clients regarding contract provisions and agreement types.
• Develop and evolve processes for efficient contract management with cross-functional partners.
• Establish and maintain excellent relationships with Government and other customer counterparts.
• Management of a small team of contracts professionals at various levels of professional development.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of work experience (16+ years total work experience)
• 12+ years of contract administration or contract management experience
• US Citizenship is required due to program requirements
• Ability to obtain a DoD Top Secret security clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Extensive knowledge of Government contracts and contract types, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation (DFAR), and/or the NASA FAR Supplement (NFS).
• Experience managing DoD and NASA prime contracts and/or subcontracts supporting DoD and NASA programs.
• Request for proposal (RFP) analysis and proposal preparation experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to articulate and effectively communicate contract compliance information to various levels of management and program teams.
• Proven ability to support professional growth of team members by identifying development opportunities and coaching direct reports toward their personal and professional goals.

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.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay,you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes

• industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock)
• top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution)
• dental and vision coverage
• paid vacation and sick time
• 11 paid holidays
• flexible spending and dependent care accounts
• paid parental leave
• disability and life insurance
• a 401(k) retirement plan with company match

Additional perks include

• subsidized EV charging
• onsite fitness centers (where available)
• discounted gym memberships
• complimentary snacks and beverages
• 50% employee discount on our popular merch store
• a variety of other employee discounts

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 Pay Range (CA Only)

$165,000 — $220,000 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.

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.