Optical Systems Business Development Director (TS/SCI)

Rocket Lab; Littleton (CO); On-site; USD 175,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Littleton, CO seeks a Business Development Director for Optical Systems with TS/SCI clearance. You will lead customer engagements, draft proposals, manage partnerships, and coordinate with engineering and production to align solutions with mission requirements.

You will drive forecasts, bids, and pricing strategies, support marketing campaigns, travel up to 50%, and guide capture teams on technical and contractual issues, while advancing our optical payload initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or technical discipline.
• 12+ years in business development, program management, or systems engineering in aerospace.
• Experience in national security space sector.
• Active TS/SCI security clearance.
• Experience with SCI and SAP/SAR programs.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely responses to customer technical inquiries regarding Rocket Lab Optical Systems and Mynaric products.
• Draft proposals for new business opportunities and compliance matrices.
• Develop and manage relationships with customers, partners, and industry groups.
• Use Salesforce to track leads, opportunities, and proposals and generate KPIs.
• Monitor sales performance and forecast demand product by product.
• Track pipeline trends and in-forecast pipeline breakdowns.
• Maintain and improve customer-facing technical documentation with engineering.
• Support BD by generating quotes and export license applications.
• Collaborate with Communications to manage marketing materials.
• Stay current on satellite competition, demand, and market trends for planning.
• Monitor, research, and analyze competitive landscape for advantages.
• Develop and manage bid budgets to optimize BD resources.
• Provide guidance to capture teams on technical, pricing, and contractual topics.
• Lead writing for responses to BAAs, RFIs, and RFPs.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality bid products and artifacts.
• Support travel to trade shows, conferences, and sites as needed.

Skills

TS/SCI clearance

Sales and business development

Strategic account management

Travel readiness

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or technical discipline

Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or related field

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Rocket Lab in Littleton, CO seeks a Business Development Director for Optical Systems with TS/SCI clearance. You will lead customer engagements, draft proposals, manage partnerships, and coordinate with engineering and production to align solutions with mission requirements.

You will drive forecasts, bids, and pricing strategies, support marketing campaigns, travel up to 50%, and guide capture teams on technical and contractual issues, while advancing our optical payload initiatives.