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

Rocket Lab Corporation • Long Beach, CA

11d • $125,300 - $187,850 • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Program Manager is the program authority for Rocket Lab’s advanced optical and infrared sensing payloads, based at the company’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California. The role owns the technical roadmap and strategic make-or-buy decisions from early prototypes through flight qualification and scalable production. It focuses on translating tracking, warning, and surveillance mission needs into concrete technical milestones.

The role leads multiple programs and cross-functional teams working across optics, electronics, software, and the data chain. It partners with Chief Engineers on architectural decisions and technical trade-offs, manages suppliers and subcontracts, addresses program-threatening risks and roadblocks, and serves as the primary point of contact for assigned U.S. Government customers. It also collaborates 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. Rocket Lab offers competitive base pay, company stock, and a comprehensive benefits package. The California base pay range is $125,300–$187,850 USD; level and base salary depend on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, science, or another technical discipline.
• At least 5 years of aerospace program management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to own a technical program, product, or team end to end and deliver 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 and mitigating technical, schedule, or supply-chain risks before they affect the mission.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

Nice To Haves

• 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 fluency, including trade studies, interface control, and requirement integrity, and familiarity with Jira, Confluence, and ERP.
• Multiple program cycles or 8+ years of aerospace/defense experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead EO/IR sensing payload and optical systems programs from concept through qualification, scalable production, and flight.
• Own the technical roadmap for growing the team’s core capabilities.
• Manage multiple active programs and make architectural decisions with Chief Engineers, including trade-offs involving pointing stability and jitter, sensitivity, and revisit.
• Address program-threatening problems in collaboration with the team.
• Build a culture that supports smart risk-taking, strong ideas, and the development of 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 while maintaining 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 space domain awareness.

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 coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Paid vacation and sick time.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
• Paid parental leave.
• Disability insurance.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior