Senior TPM, Space Sensing & Domain Awareness

Rocket Lab USA

Long Beach (CA)

On-site

USD 134,000 - 201,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Top tier medical HMO

PPO & a 100% company-sponsored medical

HSA plan option

Dental and vision coverage

3 weeks paid vacation

5 days sick leave per year

11 paid holidays per year

401(k) with company match

Stock purchase program

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager for Space Sensing & Domain Awareness (TS/SCI) to own the technical roadmap from concept to scalable production. You will lead EO/IR payload programs, coordinate cross-functional teams, and drive critical decisions that shape mission success.

You'll manage high-stakes subcontracts, partner with CNS/BD on proposals, and mentor a team of engineers and program managers.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in physics, math, science, or other technical discipline.
8+ years of program management experience.
A demonstrated track record of owning a technical program, product, or team end to end and carrying it across the finish line under real pressure.
Evidence you've moved real hardware and software from prototype toward scalable, flight-ready production.
Understanding of the nuances of EO/IR sensing, optical payloads, or focal plane arrays.
Experience identifying technical, schedule, or supply-chain risk and neutralizing it before it impacts the mission.
Active TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

Command the Lifecycle: Build and lead the team that takes EO/IR sensing payloads and optical systems from concept through qualification, scalable production, and flight.
Lead the Team of Teams: Run multiple active programs at once, make architectural calls with Chief Engineers, address trade-offs, and tackle program-threatening problems with the team.
Build the Bench: Foster a culture of bold, data-driven decisions, coach leaders, and value smart risk-taking.
Forge the Supply Chain: Manage high-stakes subcontracts and suppliers as strategic partners to protect schedule and margin.
Unblock Excellence: Synchronize cross-functional teams across optics, electronics, software, and data to maintain speed and quality.
Influence the Future: Be the primary POC for U.S. Government tracking, warning, and surveillance customers and shape proposals and technical narratives.