Senior Program Manager II - Space Sensing & Domain Awareness (TS/SCI)

Rocket Lab•Long Beach, CA

21h•$134,300 - $201,350•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Program Manager for its Space Sensing & Domain Awareness programs, based at the company’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California. The role serves as program authority for advanced optical and infrared sensing payloads, owning their technical roadmap and strategic make-or-buy decisions from early prototypes through flight qualification and scalable production. The position requires close engagement with tracking, warning, and surveillance mission needs to translate challenging operational problems into technical milestones. The successful candidate will lead multiple active programs and cross-functional teams spanning optics, electronics, software, and the data chain. They will guide architectural decisions with Chief Engineers, manage technical and program risks, develop people and teams, oversee suppliers and subcontracts, and serve as the primary contact for assigned U.S. Government customers. The role also partners with Business Development and Strategy on proposals and technical narratives for future space domain awareness missions. The position may involve prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. Compensation is listed as total compensation (base and equity) of $166,800–$258,625 USD and base salary of $134,300–$201,350 USD. Level and base salary are determined case by case based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. An anticipated annual equity grant is described; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, science, or another technical discipline.
At least 8 years of aerospace program management experience.
Demonstrated experience owning a technical program, product, or team end to end and delivering it under pressure.
Evidence of moving hardware and software from prototype toward scalable, flight-ready production.
Understanding of EO/IR sensing, optical payloads, or focal plane arrays.
Experience identifying technical, schedule, or supply-chain risks and mitigating them before they affect the mission.
Active TS/SCI clearance.

Nice To Haves

A proven approach to transitioning low-volume prototypes into scalable production without sacrificing mission reliability.
Deep experience in National Security Space (NSS) or large sensing and tracking constellations.
Demonstrated success negotiating, capturing, and executing large U.S. Government contracts.
Master’s degree in Engineering, Optics, or a related field.
Systems engineering, trade-study, interface-control, and requirements-integrity experience, along with familiarity with Jira, Confluence, and ERP tools.
Multiple program cycles or 8+ years in aerospace or defense; the posting notes that shipped accomplishments are weighted more heavily than years logged.

Responsibilities

Lead EO/IR sensing payload and optical-system programs from initial concept through qualification, scalable production, and flight.
Own the technical roadmap for growth of the team’s core capabilities and make strategic make-or-buy decisions.
Run multiple active programs and make architectural decisions with Chief Engineers, including trade-offs involving pointing stability and jitter, sensitivity, and revisit.
Work directly with teams to resolve the most program-threatening problems.
Build a team culture that encourages smart risk-taking and strong ideas, and coach and develop future program and team leaders.
Manage high-stakes subcontracts and suppliers as strategic partners while protecting schedule and margin.
Coordinate cross-functional teams across optics, electronics, software, and the data chain, remove roadblocks, and maintain quality and pace.
Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned U.S. Government tracking, warning, and surveillance customers.
Partner with Business Development and Strategy on proposals and technical narratives for future space domain awareness missions.
Identify technical, schedule, and supply-chain risks and address them before they affect the mission.

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 significant HSA company 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.