Mission Manager- TS/SCI Clearance

InvestedintheMission; Littleton (CO); On-site; USD 107,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in North America is seeking a seasoned Mission Manager to guide customer missions from contract through payload integration to launch at Wallops, VA or Auckland. The role requires coordinating with commercial and government customers and involves domestic and international travel.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in mission management or technical PM, a technical engineering background, and an active DoD Secret Clearance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or technical discipline (Mechanical, Electrical or Aerospace preferred).
• 5+ years of mission management/technical program management experience.
• Active DoD Secret Clearance.
• Hardware integration or PM experience on launch vehicles or spacecraft.
• Ability to travel to launch pads, customer sites, and overseas.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple Rocket Lab missions across technical, programmatic, and financial milestones.
• Oversee payload integration activities, fit checks, dispenser and launch vehicle integration.
• Lead milestone reviews with customers (design reviews, test readiness reviews).
• Assist business development with proposal input, lead generation, and technical sales reviews.
• Develop and verify Launch Vehicle to Payload Spacecraft ICD.
• Maintain constant contact with customers with technical staff as needed.
• Represent the company at conferences, forums, outreach and recruiting events.
• Help lead Mission Integrators in expanding their mission management skillset.

Skills

Mission management

Security clearance

Hardware integration

Travel readiness

Customer-facing

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

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.

MISSION MANAGER

Based out of one of Rocket Lab sites in North America, Mission Managers work directly with customers from signing of contract through payload integration to launch at either our Auckland, New Zealand or Wallops, Virginia launch site for Rocket Lab’s HASTE program. The ideal candidate is comfortable working with both commercial and government customers as well as frequent domestic and international travel. Prior mission management or mission integration experience required, preferably in support of suborbital and/or hypersonic payloads.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Management of multiple Rocket Lab customer missions, including technical, programmatic, and financial milestones.
• Oversee hands‑on payload integration activities, including fit checks, dispenser and launch vehicle integration.
• Lead technical milestone reviews with customers such as mission design or test readiness reviews
• Assists business development with proposal input, lead generation, and technical sales engineering reviews.
• Responsible for development and verification of Launch Vehicle to Payload Spacecraft Interface Control Documentation (ICD).
• In constant contact with customers to answer questions with technical staff as required.
• Represent the company at public events, including conferences, industry forums, outreach and recruiting events.
• Helps lead Mission Integrators in expanding their mission management skillset

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS FOR A MISSION MANAGER:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or technical discipline – Mechanical, Electrical or Aerospace degree preferred.
• 5+ years of mission management experience/Technical program management experience
• Active DoD Secret Clearance
• Hardware integration or project management experience on either launch vehicles or spacecraft projects.
• Ability to travel to launch pads, customer sites, and overseas (e.g. Rocket Labs New Zealand facility/launch site).

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with Suborbital and/or hypersonic payloads
• ITAR - Previous experience with ITAR & establishment of TAA's.
• Previous Mission Management or Mission Integration experience.
• Experience working with complex mechanical systems with your own hands.
• Ability to read mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Solid interpersonal and organizational skills, able to assist with closure of sales / customer capture.
• Ability to understand technical constraints relative to payload launch including results from mission specific analysis.
• Solid presentation and technical writing skills.

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

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience.

Base salary is only one part of Rocket Lab’s compensation package for this role. You may be eligible for company stock, or cash incentives, and can purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab’s Employee Stock Purchase Program. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Base Pay Range (CO Only)

$107,200 — $134,000 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.