Senior Program Manager II - Advanced RF Systems
About The Position
Rocket Lab is hiring a Senior Technical Program Manager II for Advanced RF Systems, based at its global headquarters in Long Beach, California. The role is the program authority for next-generation RF systems and payloads, owning the technical roadmap and strategic program decisions from early prototypes through flight qualification and high-rate production. The program manager works with National Security, civil, and commercial customers to turn complex needs into technical milestones and is accountable for driving programs to successful delivery. The role leads multiple active programs and cross-functional teams spanning hardware, software, and spectrum management. It involves working with Chief Engineers on architectural decisions and technical trade-offs, resolving program-threatening issues, developing people and future leaders, managing suppliers and subcontracts, and supporting business development through proposals and technical narratives.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, science, or another technical discipline.
- At least 8 years of aerospace program management experience.
- Demonstrated end-to-end ownership of a technical program, product, or team and a record of delivering 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 and mitigating technical, schedule, or supply-chain risks.
Nice To Haves
- A proven approach to transitioning low-volume prototypes into high-rate production while maintaining mission reliability.
- Deep experience with National Security Space or large commercial telecommunications constellation architectures.
- Success negotiating, capturing, and executing large U.S. Government or major commercial contracts.
- Master’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
- Systems engineering experience, including trade studies, interface control, and requirement integrity.
- Familiarity with Jira, Confluence, and ERP systems.
- Multiple aerospace/defense program cycles or 8+ years in aerospace/defense.
Responsibilities
- Build and lead the team that takes RF payloads, transponders, SAR, and communications systems from concept through qualification, high-rate production, and flight.
- Own the technical roadmap for growing 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.
- Address significant program-threatening problems alongside the team.
- Build a culture of informed risk-taking 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 hardware, software, and spectrum management and remove roadblocks.
- Serve as the primary 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 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
