Senior Program Manager I - Advanced RF Systems

Rocket Lab•Long Beach, CA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is hiring a Senior Technical Program Manager I for Advanced RF Systems, based at its global headquarters in Long Beach, California. The role has program authority for next-generation RF systems and payloads, owning technical roadmaps and strategic program decisions from early prototypes through flight qualification and high-rate production. The program manager works closely with National Security, civil, and commercial customers to turn complex needs into technical milestones. The position leads multiple active programs and cross-functional teams spanning hardware, software, and spectrum management. It involves making architectural and technical trade-off decisions with Chief Engineers, resolving program-threatening issues, managing strategic supplier relationships, developing team members, and contributing to proposals and technical narratives. 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.

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, delivering it under pressure.
Evidence of moving hardware and software from prototype toward scalable, flight-ready production.
Understanding of transponders, SAR, or advanced communications systems.
Experience identifying and mitigating technical, schedule, or supply-chain risks.

Nice To Haves

A proven approach to transitioning low-volume prototypes into high-rate production without sacrificing mission reliability.
Deep experience with National Security Space or large commercial telecommunications constellation architectures.
Demonstrated success negotiating, capturing, and executing large U.S. Government or major commercial contracts.
Master’s degree in Engineering or a related field and ability to peer-review technical roadmaps.
Systems engineering fluency, including trade studies, interface control, and requirements integrity.
Experience using Jira, Confluence, and ERP systems to track program health.
Multiple program cycles or 8 or more years in aerospace or defense.

Responsibilities

Lead the lifecycle of RF payloads, transponders, SAR, and communications systems from concept through qualification, high-rate production, and flight.
Own and grow the technical roadmap and the team's core capabilities.
Run multiple active programs and make architectural decisions with Chief Engineers.
Navigate trade-offs involving phased arrays, digital signal processing, and high-rate manufacturing.
Address program-threatening problems in close collaboration with the team.
Build a culture that supports smart risk-taking, strong ideas, and learning from intelligent misses.
Coach and develop future program and team leaders.
Manage subcontracts and suppliers as strategic partners while protecting schedule and margin.
Synchronize hardware, software, and spectrum-management teams and remove roadblocks.
Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned National Security, civil, and commercial customers.
Partner with Business Development and Strategy on proposals and technical narratives for future RF systems and payloads.
Identify technical, schedule, and supply-chain risks and mitigate 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 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.