Senior Program Manager I - Advanced RF Systems (TS/SCI)
About The Position
Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Senior Technical Program Manager I is the program authority for next-generation RF systems and payloads. The role owns the technical roadmap and strategic program decisions from early concept and prototype development through flight qualification and high-rate production. The manager works with National Security, civil, and commercial customers to translate challenging needs into concrete technical milestones. The position leads multiple active programs and cross-functional teams spanning hardware, software, and spectrum management. It works closely with Chief Engineers on architecture and technical trade-offs involving phased arrays, digital signal processing, and high-rate manufacturing; develops program and team leaders; manages suppliers and subcontracts; and supports proposals and technical narratives with Business Development and Strategy.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, science, or another technical discipline.
- At least 5 years of aerospace program management experience.
- Demonstrated track record of 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 transponders, SAR, or advanced communication systems.
- Experience identifying technical, schedule, or supply-chain risks and addressing them before they affect the mission.
- Active TS/SCI clearance.
Nice To Haves
- 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, with the ability to peer-review technical roadmaps.
- Systems engineering fluency, including trade studies, interface control, and requirement integrity.
- Experience using Jira, Confluence, and ERP systems to keep program health visible.
- 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 initial concept through qualification, high-rate production, and flight.
- Own the technical roadmap for the growth of the team’s core capabilities.
- Run multiple active programs and make architectural decisions with Chief Engineers.
- Navigate technical trade-offs in phased arrays, digital signal processing, and high-rate manufacturing.
- Work alongside the team to resolve program-threatening problems.
- Build a culture that encourages smart risk-taking, strong ideas, and learning from intelligent mistakes.
- 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 hardware, software, and spectrum management teams and clear 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.
Benefits
- Company stock as part of the total compensation package.
- 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
