PRINCIPAL PROGRAM MANAGER (TS/SCI)

Based at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, you serve as the program authority for one of our most sensitive next-generation mission platforms. You own the technical roadmap and all major programmatic decisions-from the first blank-sheet prototype through flight qualification and into responsive production. This is a true high-ownership role: you'll immerse yourself in the operational realities of the warfighter, translate their hardest problems into concrete technical milestones, and become the person the entire program runs on.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Command the Lifecycle: Build and lead the team that takes highly maneuverable, time-critical mission platforms from a "blank sheet" concept through qualification, responsive production, and flight, and own the technical roadmap that grows the team's core capabilities.
• Lead the Team of Teams: Run multiple active programs at once, make sound architectural calls with Chief Engineers, navigate the hardest trade-offs in closed-loop guidance and control, on-board autonomy, and propulsion, and personally dive into the most program-threatening problems alongside the team.
• Build the Bench: Grow an engineering culture where strong people take smart, healthy risks and the best idea wins, no matter who it comes from and coach and develop the next generation of program and team leaders.
• Own the P&L: Own the program P&L on a Firm Fixed Price basis: build accurate forecasts, hit revenue and margin milestones on time, prepare credible program and capital budgets, and make defensible Make/Buy decisions.
• Forge the Supply Chain: Manage high-stakes subcontracts and suppliers as strategic partners essential to the mission, protecting schedule and margin.
• Unblock Excellence: Synchronize cross-functional teams across hardware, software, GNC, and mission assurance and clear roadblocks quickly so the team keeps moving at speed and quality stays high.
• Influence the Future: Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned U.S. Government national security customers, and partner with BD & Strategy on proposals and technical narratives that define the next generation of national security mission systems.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in physics, math, science, or other technical discipline
• 12+ years of experience in the aerospace/space industry
• 8+ years of technical program management experience
• To excel in this role, you bring depth in at least one of the following domains:
  • Prototype-to-flight transition - A proven record of taking integrated hardware/software systems from early prototypes to fully qualified, flight-ready platforms.
  • EO/IR and optical payloads - Understanding the nuances of EO/IR sensing, optical payload architectures, or focal plane arrays.
  • Production engineering - Familiarity with takt time, line-of-balance, design-for-manufacturing principles, and learning-curve economics.
  • Manufacturing risk reduction - Experience identifying tooling, supply-chain, or yield risks and neutralizing them before they impact throughput.
  • Advanced sensing and comms - Understanding of RADAR, SAR, or advanced communication system architectures.
• Experience identifying technical, schedule, or supply-chain risk and neutralizing it before it impacts the mission
• Active TS/SCI clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Production Velocity: A playbook for transitioning low-volume prototypes into responsive production without sacrificing mission reliability.
• Domain Authority: Deep experience navigating National Security Space (NSS) and the most time-critical mission sets.
• Capture & Customer: Demonstrated success negotiating, capturing, and executing large U.S. Government contracts.
• Advanced Technical Credibility: A master's degree in engineering or a related field that lets you peer-review technical roadmaps.
• Systems & Toolchain Fluency: You speak Systems Engineering - trade studies, interface control, requirement integrity - and use Jira, Confluence, and ERP to keep program health visible at speed.

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including: top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include: Discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts.

Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company's discretion.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)

$160,000-$245,000 USD