Senior Technical Program Manager – Satellite Production

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 117,000 - 161,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager I to lead high-volume satellite production and own the program lifecycle from concept through qualification and flight.

You will steer multi-program efforts, negotiate with suppliers, and guide design-for-manufacturing decisions while building a capable team and maintaining schedule and cost targets. A strong track record in aerospace programs is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, science, or other technical discipline.
• 5+ years of aerospace program management experience.
• Proven track record delivering end-to-end technical programs under pressure.
• Experience moving hardware and software from prototype to high-rate production with measured gains.
• Understanding takt time, line-of-balance, DFMA, and learning-curve economics.
• Experience identifying tooling, supply-chain, or yield risks and mitigating them.
• U.S. citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Command the Lifecycle: lead the team from concept to qualification and flight and own the technical roadmap.
• Lead the Team of Teams: manage multiple programs and make architectural calls.
• Build the Bench: foster a culture that backs bold decisions and learns from misses.
• Forge the Supply Chain: manage high-stakes subcontracts with partners.
• Unblock Excellence: synchronize cross-functional teams to maintain speed and quality.
• Influence the Future: act as primary contact for constellation operators and support proposals.

Skills

Aerospace PM

Hardware development

Systems thinking

Jira/Confluence

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in physics/math/science/technical

Master's degree (nice to have)

Tools

Jira

Confluence

ERP/MRP

Job description

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager I to lead high-volume satellite production and own the program lifecycle from concept through qualification and flight.

You will steer multi-program efforts, negotiate with suppliers, and guide design-for-manufacturing decisions while building a capable team and maintaining schedule and cost targets. A strong track record in aerospace programs is required.