Mission Manager

Rocket Lab • Middle River, MD

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is seeking a Mission Manager based at one of its North American sites. The role works directly with customers from contract signing through payload integration and launch at Rocket Lab’s Auckland, New Zealand or Wallops, Virginia launch site for the HASTE program. Mission Managers manage customer missions across technical, programmatic, and financial milestones, oversee hands-on payload integration, lead customer technical reviews, and support business development. The role also develops and verifies launch vehicle-to-payload spacecraft interface documentation, serves as a point of contact for customers, represents Rocket Lab at public events, and helps develop Mission Integrators’ mission management skills. The position involves frequent domestic and international travel and may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Rocket Lab describes its working environment as fast-paced, collaborative, and deadline-driven, with an emphasis on innovation, teamwork, and delivering results. Compensation includes base pay and company equity. The level and base salary are determined case by case based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or technical discipline; Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace engineering preferred.
• At least 5 years of mission management or technical program management experience.
• Hardware integration or project management experience on launch vehicle or spacecraft projects.
• Ability to travel to launch pads, customer sites, and overseas, including Rocket Lab’s New Zealand facility or launch site.
• Willingness and ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with suborbital and/or hypersonic payloads.
• Previous experience with ITAR and establishment of Technical Assistance Agreements (TAAs).
• Previous Mission Management or Mission Integration experience.
• Experience working hands-on with complex mechanical systems.
• Ability to read mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, including the ability to assist with sales closure and customer capture.
• Ability to understand technical constraints related to payload launch, including results from mission-specific analysis.
• Strong presentation and technical writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple Rocket Lab customer missions, including technical, programmatic, and financial milestones.
• Oversee hands-on payload integration activities, including fit checks, dispenser integration, and launch vehicle integration.
• Lead technical milestone reviews with customers, such as mission design and test readiness reviews.
• Assist business development with proposal input, lead generation, and technical sales engineering reviews.
• Develop and verify Launch Vehicle to Payload Spacecraft Interface Control Documentation (ICD).
• Maintain ongoing customer contact and answer questions, involving technical staff as required.
• Represent Rocket Lab at public events, including conferences, industry forums, outreach, and recruiting events.
• Help lead Mission Integrators in expanding their mission management skillset.

Benefits

• Company stock as part of the total compensation package.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
• Medical coverage, including HMO, PPO, and a company-sponsored HSA plan option.
• Dental coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Three weeks of paid vacation per year.
• Five days of sick leave per year.
• 11 paid holidays per year.
• Flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts.
• Paid parental leave.
• Disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Free snacks and drinks onsite.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level