Principal Program Manager (TS/SCI)

Rocket Lab•Long Beach, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is hiring a Principal Program Manager for its Space Systems team, based at the company’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California. The role serves as program authority for a sensitive next-generation mission platform, owning its technical roadmap and major program decisions from early concept and prototyping through flight qualification and responsive production. The manager will connect operational needs of national security customers to technical milestones and lead the program across its lifecycle. The position leads multiple active programs and cross-functional teams spanning hardware, software, guidance, navigation and control, and mission assurance. It includes making architectural and technical trade-off decisions with Chief Engineers, resolving program-threatening issues, developing engineering and program leadership talent, and managing firm-fixed-price program finances, forecasts, budgets, revenue, and margins. The role also manages strategic suppliers and subcontracts, serves as the primary contact for assigned U.S. Government national security customers, and supports business development and strategy proposals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, science, or another technical discipline.
12+ years of experience in the aerospace or space industry.
8+ years of technical program management experience.
Depth in at least one of the following: prototype-to-flight transition; EO/IR and optical payloads; production engineering; manufacturing risk reduction; or advanced sensing and communications such as RADAR, SAR, or advanced communication systems.
Experience identifying technical, schedule, or supply-chain risks and addressing them before they affect the mission.
Active TS/SCI clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience transitioning low-volume prototypes into responsive production while maintaining mission reliability.
Deep experience with National Security Space and time-critical mission sets.
Demonstrated success negotiating, capturing, and executing large U.S. Government contracts.
Master’s degree in engineering or a related field.
Systems engineering fluency, including trade studies, interface control, and requirements integrity.
Experience using Jira, Confluence, and ERP systems.

Responsibilities

Lead mission platforms from blank-sheet concept through qualification, responsive production, and flight, and own the technical roadmap for developing core capabilities.
Run multiple active programs and make architectural and technical trade-off decisions with Chief Engineers.
Address major program risks and problems, including issues involving closed-loop guidance and control, onboard autonomy, and propulsion.
Build and develop the team, foster a culture of smart risk-taking and strong ideas, and coach future program and team leaders.
Own the firm-fixed-price program P&L, including forecasts, revenue and margin milestones, program and capital budgets, and Make/Buy decisions.
Manage high-stakes subcontracts and suppliers to protect program schedule and margin.
Coordinate cross-functional teams across hardware, software, GNC, and mission assurance, and remove roadblocks while maintaining quality and pace.
Act as the primary point of contact for assigned U.S. Government national security customers.
Partner with Business Development and Strategy on proposals and technical narratives for future national security mission systems.

Benefits

Company stock as part of total compensation.
Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a company HSA contribution.
Dental and vision coverage.
Paid vacation and sick time.
11 paid holidays.
Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
Paid parental leave.
Disability and life insurance.
401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Subsidized EV charging.
Onsite fitness centers where available.
Discounted gym memberships.
Complimentary snacks and beverages.
50% employee discount on the company merchandise store.
Other employee discounts.