Mission Manager

Rocket Lab Corporation • Middle River, MD

3d • $116,800 - $160,600

About The Position

Rocket Lab’s Mission Managers work directly with customers from contract signing through payload integration and launch for the HASTE program, at either the Auckland, New Zealand, or Wallops, Virginia launch site. The role is based at one of Rocket Lab’s North American sites and involves working with commercial and government customers, with frequent domestic and international travel. Prior mission management or mission integration experience is required; experience supporting suborbital and/or hypersonic payloads is preferred.

The Mission Manager oversees multiple customer missions and their technical, programmatic, and financial milestones; leads customer-facing technical milestone reviews; and manages payload integration activities. The role also supports business development, develops and verifies launch vehicle-to-payload interface documentation, communicates with customers and technical staff, represents Rocket Lab at public and industry events, and helps develop Mission Integrators’ mission management skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or technical discipline; Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering is 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.
• Must be willing and able to obtain a TS/SCI Clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with suborbital and/or hypersonic payloads.
• Previous experience with ITAR and establishment of TAA’s.
• 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, with 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 or 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 contact with customers 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 total compensation.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
• Medical HMO, PPO, and a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option.
• Dental and vision coverage.
• Three weeks of paid vacation and five days of sick leave per year.
• Eleven 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 onsite snacks and drinks.

What This Job Offers

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