Senior Program Manager II - Advanced RF Systems (TS/SCI)
About The Position
Rocket Lab is hiring a Senior Technical Program Manager II for Advanced RF Systems and payloads, based at its global headquarters in Long Beach, California. The role has program authority for next-generation RF systems, owning technical roadmaps and strategic program decisions from early prototypes through flight qualification and high-rate production. The program manager will lead multiple programs and teams, partner with Chief Engineers on architecture and trade-offs, and take ownership of challenging technical and operational issues. The role involves developing RF payload, transponder, SAR, and communications-system capabilities; working with National Security, civil, and commercial customers; and coordinating hardware, software, spectrum-management, supplier, and business-development teams. The position also leads team development, manages strategic supplier relationships, and contributes to proposals and technical narratives. The job 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.
- 8+ years of aerospace program management experience.
- Demonstrated ownership of a technical program, product, or team from beginning to completion 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 mitigating them before they affect the mission.
- Active TS/SCI clearance.
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 (NSS) or large commercial telecommunications constellation architectures.
- Demonstrated success negotiating, capturing, and executing large U.S. Government or major commercial contracts.
- A Master's degree in Engineering or a related field.
- Systems engineering, trade-study, interface-control, and requirements-integrity knowledge.
- Experience using Jira, Confluence, and ERP systems to maintain program visibility.
- Multiple program cycles or 8+ years in aerospace or defense; the posting notes that shipped accomplishments are weighted more than years logged.
Responsibilities
- Lead RF payload, transponder, SAR, and communications-system programs from concept through qualification, high-rate production, and flight.
- Own the technical roadmap and grow the team's core capabilities.
- Manage multiple active programs and make architectural decisions with Chief Engineers, including trade-offs in phased arrays, digital signal processing, and high-rate manufacturing.
- Resolve program-threatening problems alongside the team.
- Build a culture of smart risk-taking, coach and develop program and team leaders, and grow the team's capabilities.
- Manage strategic subcontracts and supplier relationships to protect schedule and margin.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams spanning 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 for future RF systems and payloads.
- Identify and mitigate technical, schedule, and supply-chain risks 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 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
