Program Manager II

Rocket Lab•Albuquerque, NM

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Manager II, based at Rocket Lab’s Albuquerque, New Mexico site, is responsible for executing the full lifecycle of assigned programs, from definition and planning through execution and closeout. The role manages program scope, schedule, and budget—including revenue forecasting, margin, and profit and loss—in alignment with customer and corporate objectives and established policies and procedures. The Program Manager ensures compliance with program contract requirements and works across management, engineering, manufacturing, test, and quality assurance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field.
At least 2 years of related experience, including project/program management or managerial experience implementing large-scale, cross-functional projects in a technology environment.
Program management experience, preferably in the solar and/or wind industries, specifically managing Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts.
Demonstrated success planning, directing, and implementing complex projects on time, within budget, and with desired functionality.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Familiarity with ERP systems and work breakdown structures (WBS).
Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
Highly organized and detail-oriented.

Nice To Haves

Experience in energy project management, financial analysis, or project financing within the solar industry.
Understanding of energy-project economics, including capital cost, variable cost, and internal rate of return (IRR) calculations.
Experience with space-based solar projects and technologies.
Experience with Department of Defense and/or NASA programs.
Experience with a variety of contract types, such as firm fixed price and cost-plus contracts.
Strong communication and presentation skills.
Strong conflict resolution, negotiation, and influencing skills.
Highly organized and detail-oriented.

Responsibilities

Serve as the principal point of contact for customers and provide visibility into all aspects of program performance.
Lead the full program lifecycle, including definition, planning, execution, and closeout.
Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to specifications.
Anticipate customer needs and manage changes to scope, schedule, budget, and personnel.
Ensure compliance with program requirements across management, engineering, manufacturing, test, and quality assurance.
Define program tasks and schedules with manufacturing and establish budgets for each task.
Coordinate with functional management to secure the human and other resources needed to meet cost, technical, and schedule requirements.
Manage program profit and loss and work with Finance to compile monthly reports.
Anticipate potential problems and develop effective solutions.
Recommend leadership solutions, establish project objectives, and clarify team-member roles.
Proactively manage and communicate project risks and issues.
Recommend solutions to bottlenecks and conflicts across teams and functions.
Monitor delivery by internal, external, local, and remote resources and hold team members accountable for commitments.
Communicate project progress to staff and executives, and work within the organization to evaluate project results.
Resolve high-impact, complex, and cross-functional problems through critical thinking.
Manage multiple efforts while maintaining broad focus and attention to detail.
Work effectively with staff, business stakeholders, and management at all organizational levels.
Use strong written and verbal communication, conflict resolution, negotiation, and influencing skills.
Apply a project management methodology in a fast-paced, changing, and ambiguous environment.