Principal Program Manager, Space Optics & EO/IR Missions

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 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