Principal Program Manager

Rocket Lab Corporation; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Tucson seeks a Principal Program Manager for Optical Systems to lead EO/IR space missions and ground sensor networks across demanding programs. You will drive integrated schedules, oversee multi‑discipline teams, and manage cost, risk, and schedule with stakeholders.

This role requires 12+ years in US government projects, active TS/SCI eligibility, and a US citizenship. You will mentor engineers, present program status, and shape customer relationships while delivering high‑impact

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, or technical discipline.
• 12+ years of experience in managing technical projects for the US Government.
• Proven ability to lead a team to program milestones.
• Hands-on expertise with active optical systems.
• Experience with space EO payloads, test plan development, astronomy, physics, electronics, software, and/or remote sensing.
• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility.
• U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple contracts, ensuring cost, risk, schedule, staffing resources, and technical performance of company programs or subsystems of major programs, addressing any issues or risks that arise
• Identify and mitigate potential risks to programs, develop contingency plans, develop and execute recovery plans, ensure timely resolution of issues, and track financial impacts
• Work on unusually complex technical problems and provide innovative solutions
• Lead team(s) of engineers in planning and executing test events and resolving issues encountered, both operational and technical
• Work proactively to complete tasks and meet assigned deadlines with little direction
• Build and deliver effective presentations to communicate program status and plans with little direction
• Communicate effectively with team members across disciplines, with project management, and particularly with customers
• Maintain clear and consistent communication and foster strong relationships with a wide range of internal stakeholders, particularly with functional teams and executive leadership
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with key customers, partners, and stakeholders
• Lead program and customer meetings and reviews
• Lead technical interchange meetings with the team members and other project personnel and represent the organization in matters pertaining to project development
• Lead and mentor junior technical staff and program support resources, providing guidance and support as needed
• Develop and closely track Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for projects and manage Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics (as required)
• Support, and influence/lead where required, proposal and ECP efforts
• Support travel or off-site work as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Program management

EO payloads experience

Optical systems

Leadership

Customer relations

Clearance TS/SCI

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, technology, or technical discipline

Tools

Cameo Systems Modeler

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.

SPACE SYSTEMS

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems division builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space including solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.

The Space Systems division has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. We have built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help get to space — our Space Systems division is empowering the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

PRINCIPAL PROGRAM MANAGER

Rocket Lab Optical Systems solves mission‑critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance challenges for Department of Defense and Intelligence Community customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space‑based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro‑optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Rocket Lab Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Principal Program Manager for Rocket Lab Optical Systems in Tucson, AZ, you will lead EO/IR space missions and ground‑based sensor networks, and the research. You must possess experience in managing programs including electronics, software, and EO/IR sensors on space or ground systems.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Manage multiple contracts, ensuring cost, risk, schedule, staffing resources, and technical performance of company programs or subsystems of major programs, addressing any issues or risks that arise
• Identify and mitigate potential risks to programs, develop contingency plans, develop and execute recovery plans, ensure timely resolution of issues, and track financial impacts
• Work on unusually complex technical problems and provide innovative solutions
• Lead team(s) of engineers in planning and executing test events and resolving issues encountered, both operational and technical
• Work proactively to complete tasks and meet assigned deadlines with little direction
• Build and deliver effective presentations to communicate program status and plans with little direction
• Communicate effectively with team members across disciplines, with project management, and particularly with customers
• Maintain clear and consistent communication and foster strong relationships with a wide range of internal stakeholders, particularly with functional teams and executive leadership
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with key customers, partners, and stakeholders
• Lead program and customer meetings and reviews
• Lead technical interchange meetings with the team members and other project personnel and represent the organization in matters pertaining to project development
• Lead and mentor junior technical staff and program support resources, providing guidance and support as needed
• Develop and closely track Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for projects and manage Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics (as required)
• Support, and influence/lead where required, proposal and ECP efforts
• Support travel or off‑site work as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS PRINCIPAL PROGRAM MANAGER:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, or technical discipline
• 12+ years of experience in managing technical projects for the US Government
• Proven ability to lead a team to the completion of programs and project milestones
• Hands‑on expertise with active optical systems
• Experience with space EO payloads, test plan development, astronomy, physics, electronics, software, and/or remote sensing
• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Current SSBI clearance
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Self‑motivated and capable of performing tasks with minimal oversight
• Superior oral and written communication skills and sound problem‑solving skills
• Continuous improvement mindset and high attention to detail and accuracy

  THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

  • Experience performing and working in a dynamic and high‑visibility role
  • Excellent management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and deliver results within given constraints
  • Internship or research experience supporting aerospace, defense, or optics‑related projects
  • Exposure to MBSE concepts and tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler
  • Familiarity with environmental testing flight hardware
  • Experience with configuration management practices and systems engineering documentationhop