Senior Proposal Manager II

Rocket Lab USA; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company stock

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Parental leave

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA is seeking a Senior Proposal Manager II to lead compliant, compelling proposals for US and international customers from Chantilly, VA. You will manage RFP analyses, outlines, and compliance matrices while coordinating with engineering, finance, and legal teams to craft winning messages and ensure on-time submissions.

You will drive proposal plans, lead kick-offs, and oversee templates and content.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in technical, management, or business discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in proposal management.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Proven track record leading proposals valued >$100M.
• Technical writing expertise translating complex information clearly and persuasively.
• Strong project management across multiple concurrent proposals.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams to meet proposal objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute proposal plans, analyze RFPs, create outlines, and build compliance matrices.
• Collaborate with BD Manager/Director to craft winning strategies and messaging.
• Write compliant, high-quality proposals addressing RFP requirements confidently.
• Lead proposal kick-offs and regular check-ins with contributors to meet timelines.
• Coordinate with engineering, finance, and legal to gather and refine content.
• Create and manage proposal templates, reusable content, visuals (charts/tables/infographics).
• Conduct QA reviews for grammar, consistency, and formatting.
• Oversee final production and timely submission to meet customer requirements.
• Document lessons learned and suggest process improvements for future proposals.
• Support travel as needed (~10%).

Skills

Proposal management

Technical writing

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Security clearance

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

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.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Rocket Lab's Business Development team is responsible for connecting customers across government and commercial sectors with our industry leading mission solutions spanning launch and space systems. They work closely with new and existing customers to understand their needs and develop tailored solutions to deliver their missions. Building and maintaining relationships with customers and internally with engineering and operations teams is at the core of our Business Development team. They have their fingers on the pulse of the space industry and are driven to deliver results for our customers and our business.

SENIOR PROPOSAL MANAGER II

Based out of Rocket Lab's site in Chantilly, VA, the Senior Proposal Manager plays a key role in creating compliant and compelling business proposals that win new business with US and international customers. This role primarily supports the Space Systems Business Development team, with a specific focus on satellite opportunities.

WHAT YOU'LL GGET TO DO:

• Develop and execute proposal plans, including analyzing RFPs, creating outlines, and building compliance matrices.
• Collaborate with the Business Development Manager and/or Director to craft winning proposal strategies and develop compelling messaging.
• Write and manage compliant, high-quality proposals that clearly address RFP requirements.
• Take responsibility for specific volumes of proposals, ensuring they are well-written, compliant, and align with the overall strategy.
• Lead proposal kick-off meetings and facilitate regular check-ins with contributors to ensure timelines are met.
• Coordinate with internal teams (such as engineering, finance, legal) to gather and refine content for proposals.
• Create and manage proposal templates, reusable content, and visual elements (charts, tables, and infographics).
• Conduct quality assurance reviews for grammar, consistency, and formatting to ensure polished submissions.
• Oversee final production and submission, ensuring proposals are delivered on time and meet customer requirements.
• Document lessons learned, and recommend process improvements for future proposals.
• Support travel as needed (~10%).

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in technical, management, or business discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in proposal management.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
• Demonstrated success leading proposals with values greater than $100 million.
• Technical writing expertise, with a proven ability to translate complex technical information into clear, concise, and persuasive language tailored to different audiences.
• Project management experience, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines while ensuring high-quality deliverables.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams to achieve proposal objectives.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Active U.S. security clearance.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
• Experience using tools such as Salesforce and SharePoint.
• Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Background in organizational effectiveness and operations, implementing best practices.
• Experience with proposal frameworks and methodologies.
• Familiarity with industry-standard proposal processes such as Shipley or APMP.
• Familiarity with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
• Aerospace or defense industry experience, with a strong understanding of the competitive landscape, customer base, and technology trends in the aerospace or satellite industry.
• Ability to effectively present proposal concepts and strategies to internal stakeholders, including team members and leadership.
• Proven ability to build relationships with internal stakeholders, including engineers, leadership, and cross-functional team members.

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.

The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the state of Virginia's pay transparency requirements. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience.

Base salary is only one part of Rocket Lab's compensation package for this role.You may be eligible for company stock, or cash incentives, andcan purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab's Employee Stock Purchase Program. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Base Pay Range (VA Only)

$116,000—$160,000 USD

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.

Important information:

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] 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 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.