Senior Program Manager, Space Systems (TS/SCI)

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 164,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Rocket Lab, based in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Principal Program Manager (TS/SCI) to own the technical roadmap for critical national security mission platforms. You will lead teams from prototype to flight, manage multiple programs, and drive strategic partnerships with U.S.

government customers. You will own the P&L, coordinate cross-functional teams across hardware, software, and mission assurance, and shape proposals and technical narratives for next-gen space systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physics, math, science, or other technical discipline.
• 12+ years of experience in the aerospace/space industry.
• 8+ years of technical program management experience.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• Experience in at least one domain: prototype-to-flight, EO/IR payloads, production engineering, manufacturing risk reduction, or advanced sensing and comms.

Responsibilities

• Command the Lifecycle: lead the team from blank-sheet concept through qualification and production, owning the technical roadmap.
• Lead multiple programs, make architectural calls with Chief Engineers, manage trade-offs in guidance, control, autonomy, and propulsion.
• Build the bench by fostering an engineering culture and developing next-gen leaders.
• Own the program P&L: forecast, hit milestones, and manage budgets.
• Forge the supply chain: manage high-stakes subcontracts with strategic partners to protect schedule and margin.
• Unblock excellence: synchronize cross-functional teams across hardware, software, and mission assurance to maintain speed and quality.
• Influence the future: serve as primary contact for government customers and shape proposals and technical narratives.

Skills

Prototype-to-flight

EO/IR payloads

Production engineering

Manufacturing risk reduction

Advanced sensing and comms

TS/SCI clearance

Cross-functional leadership

Education

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

Tools

Jira

Confluence

ERP

Job description

Rocket Lab, based in Long Beach, CA, seeks a Principal Program Manager (TS/SCI) to own the technical roadmap for critical national security mission platforms. You will lead teams from prototype to flight, manage multiple programs, and drive strategic partnerships with U.S.

government customers. You will own the P&L, coordinate cross-functional teams across hardware, software, and mission assurance, and shape proposals and technical narratives for next-gen space systems.