Principal Program Manager (TS/SCI)
About The Position
Rocket Lab is hiring a Principal Program Manager to serve as the program authority for a sensitive next-generation mission platform. Based at the company’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, this high-ownership role oversees the technical roadmap and major program decisions from early concept and prototype through flight qualification and responsive production. The role works closely with the operational users of the platform to translate mission needs into technical milestones and program execution. The manager leads multiple active programs and cross-functional teams spanning hardware, software, guidance, navigation and control, and mission assurance. Responsibilities include working with Chief Engineers on architectural decisions and technical trade-offs, managing program finances and suppliers, developing engineering leaders, and serving as the main contact for assigned U.S. Government national security customers. The position also partners with Business Development and Strategy on proposals and technical narratives for future national security mission systems.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, science, or another technical discipline.
- 12 or more years of experience in the aerospace or space industry.
- 8 or more years of technical program management experience.
- Depth in at least one of the following: prototype-to-flight transition of integrated hardware/software systems; EO/IR sensing, optical payload architectures, or focal plane arrays; production engineering, including takt time, line-of-balance, design-for-manufacturing principles, or learning-curve economics; manufacturing risk reduction involving tooling, supply chain, or yield; or RADAR, SAR, or advanced communications architectures.
- Experience identifying and neutralizing technical, schedule, or supply-chain risks before they affect the mission.
- Active TS/SCI clearance.
Nice To Haves
- Experience transitioning low-volume prototypes into responsive production without sacrificing 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 and ability to peer-review technical roadmaps.
- Systems engineering fluency, including trade studies, interface control, and requirement integrity, and experience using Jira, Confluence, and ERP systems.
Responsibilities
- Build and lead the team taking mission platforms from concept through qualification, responsive production, and flight, and own the technical roadmap for growing core capabilities.
- Run multiple active programs and make architectural decisions with Chief Engineers, including trade-offs in closed-loop guidance and control, onboard autonomy, and propulsion.
- Address the most program-threatening technical and execution problems alongside the team.
- Develop an engineering culture that encourages smart, healthy risks and rewards strong ideas.
- Coach and develop future program and team leaders.
- Own program profit and loss on a Firm Fixed Price basis; forecast accurately, meet revenue and margin milestones, prepare program and capital budgets, and make Make/Buy decisions.
- Manage high-stakes subcontracts and suppliers as strategic partners, protecting schedule and margin.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams across hardware, software, GNC, and mission assurance, and remove roadblocks while maintaining quality.
- Serve as the primary 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
