Senior Satellite Programs Lead – High-Volume Production

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 134,000 - 259,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, HDHP

401(k) retirement plan with company 50

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager II - Flatellite to own high‑volume satellite production from prototype to full rate, driving cost, yield, and schedule. You will coordinate cross‑functional teams across manufacturing, supply chain, and testing to deliver reliable spacecraft on ambitious timelines.

The role demands 8+ years of aerospace program management, a technical degree, and a proven ability to ship hardware and software under pressure. U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, science, or other technical discipline.
• 8+ years of aerospace program management experience.
• Proven track record of owning a technical program end to end under pressure.
• Evidence you've moved hardware and software from prototype toward high-rate production with quantified yield, throughput, and cost gains.
• Understanding takt time, line-of-balance, design-for-manufacturing, and learning-curve economics.
• Experience identifying tooling, supply-chain, or yield risk and neutralizing it before it slows the line.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Command the Lifecycle: lead the team from concept through qualification, full-rate production, and flight; own the technical roadmap.
• Lead the Team of Teams: run multiple programs, make architectural calls, manage design-for-manufacturing trade-offs.
• Build the Bench: foster a culture that backs bold decisions and develops the next generation of leaders.
• Forge the Supply Chain: manage high-stakes subcontracts and suppliers as strategic partners.
• Unblock Excellence: synchronize cross-functional teams and clear roadblocks quickly to maintain speed and quality.
• Influence the Future: interface with constellation operators and coordinate with BD on proposals.

Skills

Takt time

Line‑of‑balance

Design for manufacturing

Supply-chain risk management

Problem solving under pressure

Hardware & software integration

Education

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

Master’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or related field

Tools

Jira

Confluence

ERP/MRP

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager II - Flatellite to own high‑volume satellite production from prototype to full rate, driving cost, yield, and schedule. You will coordinate cross‑functional teams across manufacturing, supply chain, and testing to deliver reliable spacecraft on ambitious timelines.

The role demands 8+ years of aerospace program management, a technical degree, and a proven ability to ship hardware and software under pressure. U.S.