About this job

Rocket Lab is the global leader in small satellite launch. Our mission is to open access to space to improve life on Earth. There are endless possibilities for what we can achieve with better access to space, and that access is now a reality thanks to Rocket Lab.Our team is 500 people strong and we’re adding to it every week. Collaboration is at our core – every idea is heard and everyone makes a difference. Teams are nimble, decisions are made quickly and we are action-oriented. While other companies talk about it, we do it!

Responsibilities

Mission Manager – Government (Active Secret)

The role will be based out of Rocket Lab USA HQ in Long Beach, CA and require travel to customers and launch sites worldwide. Candidate must be comfortable with frequent travel.

As the Mission Manager you will work directly with customers from signing of contract through payload integration and launch. Candidate must have an aptitude for customer interfacing.

Experience with CubeSats, SmallSats, or small space payloads is highly desirable. Any experience with prior mission management or mission integration experience is also a plus. Rocket Lab will consider candidates from an engineering background such as stress, fatigue, payloads, vibration, thermal or similar analysis role in lieu of mission management or launch experience.

Profile

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years of mission management experience and/or an engineering background (stress, fatigue, payloads, vibration, thermal or similar).
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or technical discipline – Mechanical, Electrical or Aerospace degree preferred.
• Hardware integration or project management experience on either launch vehicles or spacecraft projects.
• Ability to travel to launch pads, customer sites, and overseas (e.g. Rocket Labs New Zealand facility/launch site).

Required Skills:

• Solid interpersonal and organizational skills, able to assist with closure of sales / customer capture.
• Ability to understand technical constraints relative to payload launch including results from mission specific analysis.
• Solid presentation and technical writing skills.

 Preferred Skills / Experience:

• Experience with CubeSats, SmallSats, or other small space payloads.
• ITAR – Previous experience with ITAR & establishment of TAA’s.
• Previous Mission Management or Mission Integration experience.
• Experience working with complex mechanical systems with your own hands.
• Ability to read mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Ability to perform electrical and mechanical testing.
• Previous space sector sales engineering experience including management of customer expectations.
• Active DoD Secret clearance preferred but not required.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Management of multiple Rocket Lab customer missions, including technical, programmatic, and financial milestones.
• Oversees hands-on payload integration activities, including fit checks, dispenser and launch vehicle integration.
• Assists business development with proposal input, lead generation, and technical sales engineering reviews.
• Responsible for development and verification of Launch Vehicle to Spacecraft Interface Control Documentation (ICD).
• Ability to create and execute assembly integration instructions.
• In constant contact with customers to answer questions with technical staff as required.
• Represent the company at public events, including conferences, industry forums, outreach and recruiting events.
• Helps lead Mission Integrators in expanding their mission management skillset.

Important Information:To conform to US Government space technology export regulations, applicants must be a US citizen, lawful permanent resident of the US, protected individual as defined by 8 USC 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorization from the US Department of State.