Senior Program Manager I/II - Advanced RF Systems (TS/SCI)

Rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Company equity

Discounted employee stock purchase program

Onsite gym

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

Rocketlab in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Senior Technical Program Manager for advanced RF systems. In this leadership role, you will drive the technical roadmap and oversee the production lifecycle from prototype to high-rate manufacturing, ensuring alignment of cross-functional teams towards operational excellence.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor’s degree in a technical field, possesses over 5 years of program management experience, and has an active TS/SCI clearance. Responsibilities include leading projects, managing subcontracts, and serving as a key contact for stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of program management experience.
• Demonstrated track record of owning a technical program.
• Active TS/SCI clearance required.
• Experience with RF payloads and communication systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead programs from concept to production.
• Manage high-stakes subcontracts and suppliers.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure project success.
• Serve as primary point of contact for customers.

Skills

Technical program management

Risk identification and mitigation

Team leadership

Hardware and software production

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, science, or other technical discipline

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Job description

SENIOR TECHNICAL PROGRAM MANAGER, ADVANCED RF SYSTEMS (TS/SCI)

Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, you are the program authority for our next-generation RF systems and payloads. You own the technical roadmap and strategic program decisions from the first “blank sheet” prototype, through flight qualification, and into high-rate production. This is a high‑ownership role: you’ll immerse yourself in the operational realities of National Security, civil, and commercial pioneers to turn their hardest problems into concrete technical milestones, and you’ll be the person the program runs on.

(Please note: this position can be hired at the Senior Technical Program Manager I or Senior Technical Program Manager II level.)

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Command the Lifecycle: Build and lead the team that takes RF payloads, transponders, SAR, and communications systems from a “blank sheet” concept through qualification, high‑rate production, and flight, and own the technical roadmap that grows the team’s core capabilities.
• Lead the Team of Teams: Run multiple active programs at once, make sound architectural calls with Chief Engineers, navigate the hardest trade‑offs in phased arrays, digital signal processing, and high‑rate manufacturing, and personally dive into the most program‑threatening problems alongside the team.
• Build the Bench: Grow a culture where strong people take smart, healthy risks and the best idea wins, no matter who it comes from, we back bold calls and treat an intelligent miss as the cost of moving fast and coach and develop the next generation of program and team leaders.
• Forge the Supply Chain: Manage high‑stakes subcontracts and suppliers as strategic partners essential to the mission, protecting schedule and margin.
• Unblock Excellence: Synchronize cross‑functional teams across hardware, software, and spectrum management and clear roadblocks quickly so the team keeps moving at speed and quality stays high.
• Influence the Future: Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned National Security, civil, and commercial customers, and partner with BD & Strategy on proposals and technical narratives that define the next generation of RF systems and payloads.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR TECHNICAL PROGRAM MANAGER I:

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, science, or other technical discipline
• 5+ years of program management experience
• A demonstrated track record of owning a technical program, product, or team end to end and carrying it across the finish line under real pressure — we hire on what you’ve shipped, not years logged
• Evidence you’ve moved real hardware and software from prototype toward scalable, flight‑ready production
• Understanding of the nuances of transponders, SAR, or advanced communication systems
• Experience identifying technical, schedule, or supply‑chain risk and neutralizing it before it impacts the mission
• Active TS/SCI clearance

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS AS A SENIOR TECHNICAL PROGRAM MANAGER II:

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, science, or other technical discipline
• 8+ years of program management experience
• A demonstrated track record of owning a technical program, product, or team end to end and carrying it across the finish line under real pressure — we hire on what you’ve shipped, not years logged
• Evidence you’ve moved real hardware and software from prototype toward scalable, flight‑ready production
• Understanding of the nuances of transponders, SAR, or advanced communication systems
• Experience identifying technical, schedule, or supply‑chain risk and neutralizing it before it impacts the mission
• Active TS/SCI clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Production Velocity: A proven playbook for transitioning low‑volume prototypes into high‑rate production without sacrificing mission reliability.
• Domain Authority: Deep experience navigating National Security Space (NSS) or massive commercial telecommunications constellation architectures.
• Capture & Customer: Demonstrated success negotiating, capturing, and executing large U.S. Government or major commercial contracts.
• Advanced Technical Credibility: A Master’s degree in Engineering or a related field that lets you peer‑review technical roadmaps.
• Systems & Toolchain Fluency: You speak Systems Engineering, trade studies, interface control, requirement integrity and use Jira, Confluence, and ERP to keep program health visible at speed.
• Depth of Reps: Multiple program cycles or 8+ years in aerospace/defense sharpen the edge, but we weight the hardest thing you’ve shipped over the count.

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.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)

$115,000 – $180,000 USD

Benefits Package

Employees may also receive company equity and a comprehensive benefits package including top tier medical HMO, PPO, 100% company‑sponsored medical HSA plan, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation, 5 days sick leave annually, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and additional discounts.

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.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants 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]. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.