Senior Manager, Test Site Operations

Rocket Lab Corporation; Picayune (MS); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation in the United States is seeking a Senior Manager, Test Site Operations to oversee Rocket Lab’s Test Facility at NASA Stennis Space Center. You’ll own the test infrastructure and operations spanning engine development through routine high‑cadence production testing at the site.

This foundational role requires leading engineers and technicians in a fast‑moving environment, delivering projects on time, coordinating with suppliers and contractors, and ensuring a strong safety

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience in Propulsion Engineering and/or PropulsionTest leadership
• Demonstrated experience supporting high paced technical projects

Responsibilities

• Will lead and support a team of technical staff (engineers and technicians) for engine test operations, test stand build, engine assembly, operations and maintenance of test infrastructure.
• Will lead and mentor technical teams (engineers and technicians) in a high‑pressure environment where cohesion and effective leadership are critical to mission success.
• Develop and maintain project and program plans, budgets and schedules and ensure successful delivery of key projects spanning multiple departments and engineering disciplines
• Manage external contractors and suppliers
• Continually improve test site infrastructure with the goal of multiple engine tests per day
• Oversee site administration, supply chain and logistics
• Ensure health and safety of the team

Skills

Team leadership

Operations management

Project planning

Budgeting

Contractor management

Health & safety oversight

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering

Job description

NEUTRON

Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re‑usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!

SENIOR MANAGER, TEST SITE OPERATIONS

The role of the Senior Manager, Test Site Operations is responsible for overseeing operations at Rocket Lab’s Test Facility on site at NASA Stennis Space Center. You will ultimately own all the test infrastructure and test operations spanning rocket engine development, stage systems development through to routine high‑cadence production test operations at the site.

Being a foundational role in a fast‑moving organization, this role will need to wear many hats and take a hands‑on approach to overseeing various projects through from infrastructure development, rocket engine test operations through to site administration and logistics. If you like making fire with a world‑class high performing team, this role is for you.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO TO DO:

• Will lead and support a team of technical staff (engineers and technicians) for engine test operations, test stand build, engine assembly, operations and maintenance of test infrastructure.
• Will lead and mentor technical teams (engineers and technicians) in a high‑pressure environment where cohesion and effective leadership are critical to mission success.
• Develop and maintain project and program plans, budgets and schedules and ensure successful delivery of key projects spanning multiple departments and engineering disciplines
• Manage external contractors and suppliers
• Continually improve test site infrastructure with the goal of multiple engine tests per day
• Oversee site administration, supply chain and logistics
• Ensure health and safety of the team

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering; or other technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience in Propulsion Engineering and/or PropulsionTest leadership
• Demonstrated experience supporting high paced technical projects

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Masters or PhD in an engineering discipline
• Direct experience with liquid natural gas or liquid methane as a rocket propellant
• Background of technical expertise in sub‑component to full flight system testing
• Software development for data acquisition and control systems
• Working knowledge of complex IT systems associated with propulsion testing

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

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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Rocket Lab Corporation’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A \"disabled veteran\" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A \"recently separated veteran\" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An \"active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran\" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An \"Armed forces service medal veteran\" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.