Senior Tech PM, Space Sensing & Domain Awareness (TS/SCI)

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EV charging subsidy

Onsite fitness centers

Snacks and beverages

50% merch store discount

401(k) matching

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Senior Technical Program Manager I for Space Sensing & Domain Awareness. You will own the technical roadmap for EO/IR payloads, lead a team across optics, electronics, and software, and manage government programs end-to-end.

The role requires 5+ years in program management, TS/SCI clearance, and a track record of delivering hardware and software from prototype to production. Equity is part of total compensation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in physics, math, science, or other technical discipline.
• 5+ years of program management experience.
• Proven track record of owning a technical program end-to-end.
• Experience moving hardware and software from prototype toward scalable, flight-ready production.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead EO/IR sensing payload programs from concept to production.
• Oversee multiple active programs; make architectural calls with Chief Engineers.
• Foster a culture of bold decision-making and mentorship.
• Manage high-stakes subcontracts and suppliers.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across optics, electronics, software, data.
• Serve as primary contact for U.S. Government customers; collaborate on proposals.

Skills

Program management

Technical ownership

Hardware to production

EO/IR sensing

Risk mitigation

TS/SCI clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics/math/science

Tools

Jira

Confluence

ERP

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA seeks a Senior Technical Program Manager I for Space Sensing & Domain Awareness. You will own the technical roadmap for EO/IR payloads, lead a team across optics, electronics, and software, and manage government programs end-to-end.

The role requires 5+ years in program management, TS/SCI clearance, and a track record of delivering hardware and software from prototype to production. Equity is part of total compensation.