Senior Program Manager II(TS/SCI)
About The Position
The Senior Program Manager II serves as program authority for a sensitive next-generation mission platform at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California. The role owns the technical roadmap and major program decisions from early prototype development through flight qualification and responsive production, translating warfighter needs into technical milestones. The position leads multiple programs and cross-functional teams spanning hardware, software, guidance, navigation and control, and mission assurance. It owns program financial performance on a Firm Fixed Price basis, including forecasting, revenue and margin milestones, budgets, and Make/Buy decisions. The role also manages strategic subcontractors and suppliers, serves as the primary point of contact for assigned U.S. Government national security customers, and supports business development and strategy on proposals and technical narratives. The role develops engineering and program leadership talent and helps shape capabilities for future national security mission systems. The position may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in physics, mathematics, science, or another technical discipline.
- At least 8 years of experience in the aerospace or space industry.
- At least 5 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 system 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 in 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, and 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.
- Manage multiple active programs and make architectural and technical trade-off decisions with Chief Engineers, including in closed-loop guidance and control, onboard autonomy, and propulsion.
- Resolve program-threatening problems alongside the team.
- Build an engineering culture that supports smart risk-taking and strong ideas, and coach and develop future program and team leaders.
- Own program P&L on a Firm Fixed Price basis, including forecasts, revenue and margin milestones, program and capital budgets, and Make/Buy decisions.
- Manage high-stakes subcontracts and suppliers as strategic partners while protecting schedule and margin.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams across hardware, software, GNC, and mission assurance, and remove roadblocks while maintaining quality and pace.
- Serve 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.
- Identify and mitigate technical, schedule, and supply-chain risks 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 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
Senior
