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

Rocket Lab•Long Beach, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Program Manager for its Space Sensing & Domain Awareness work, based at its global headquarters in Long Beach, California. The role serves as program authority for advanced optical and infrared sensing payloads, owning the technical roadmap and strategic make-or-buy decisions from early prototypes through flight qualification and scalable production. The position leads multiple active programs and teams, makes architectural decisions with Chief Engineers, and addresses difficult trade-offs involving pointing stability and jitter, sensitivity, and revisit. It also develops team members, manages suppliers and subcontracts, coordinates cross-functional teams across optics, electronics, software, and the data chain, and serves as the primary contact for assigned U.S. Government tracking, warning, and surveillance customers. The program manager also partners with Business Development and Strategy on proposals and technical narratives for future space domain awareness capabilities. The role may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas. Base pay for California is $125,300–$187,850 USD; level and pay depend on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The compensation package includes company stock. U.S. office candidates must meet applicable ITAR eligibility requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, science, or another technical discipline.
At least 5 years of aerospace program management experience.
Demonstrated end-to-end ownership of a technical program, product, or team, with a record of delivering 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 and mitigating technical, schedule, or supply-chain risks 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 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.
Familiarity with systems engineering, trade studies, interface control, and requirement integrity.
Experience using Jira, Confluence, and ERP systems to monitor program health.
Multiple program cycles or 8 or more years in aerospace or defense.

Responsibilities

Lead EO/IR sensing payload and optical-system programs from initial concept through qualification, scalable production, and flight.
Own the technical roadmap and develop the team's core capabilities.
Run multiple active programs and make architectural decisions with Chief Engineers.
Navigate technical trade-offs involving pointing stability and jitter, sensitivity, and revisit.
Address program-threatening problems directly alongside the team.
Build a strong team culture 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, and remove roadblocks.
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.

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.