Rocket Lab

Senior Proposal Manager II

Rocket Lab • $116K — $160K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in technical, management, or business discipline.
  • 8+ years of experience in proposal management.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
  • Proven success leading proposals over $100 million in value.
  • Technical writing expertise for diverse audiences.
  • Project management experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute proposal plans, analyzing RFPs and creating outlines.
  • Collaborate with Business Development to craft proposal strategies and messaging.
  • Write and manage compliant, high-quality proposals addressing RFP requirements.
  • Take responsibility for proposal volumes ensuring quality and alignment with strategy.
  • Lead kick-off meetings, facilitating check-ins with contributors to meet timelines.
  • Coordinate with internal teams to gather and refine proposal content.
  • Create and manage templates, reusable content, and visual elements for proposals.

Benefits

  • Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
  • Top-tier medical plans with significant HSA contributions.
  • Dental and vision coverage provided.
  • Paid vacation and sick leave with 11 paid holidays.
  • Flexible spending and dependent care accounts available.
  • Paid parental leave, disability, and life insurance.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
  • Onsite fitness centers and subsidized EV charging.
  • Employee discounts on merch and gym memberships.
Full Job Description
SENIOR PROPOSAL MANAGER II

Based out of Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach CA, the Senior Proposal Manager plays a key role in creating compliant and compelling business proposals that win new business with US and international customers. This role primarily supports the Space Systems Business Development team, with a specific focus on satellite opportunities.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
  • Develop and execute proposal plans, including analyzing RFPs, creating outlines, and building compliance matrices.
  • Collaborate with the Business Development Manager and/or Director to craft winning proposal strategies and develop compelling messaging.
  • Write and manage compliant, high-quality proposals that clearly address RFP requirements.
  • Take responsibility for specific volumes of proposals, ensuring they are well-written, compliant, and align with the overall strategy.
  • Lead proposal kick-off meetings and facilitate regular check-ins with contributors to ensure timelines are met.
  • Coordinate with internal teams (such as engineering, finance, legal) to gather and refine content for proposals.
  • Create and manage proposal templates, reusable content, and visual elements (charts, tables, and infographics).
  • Conduct quality assurance reviews for grammar, consistency, and formatting to ensure polished submissions.
  • Oversee final production and submission, ensuring proposals are delivered on time and meet customer requirements.
  • Document lessons learned, and recommend process improvements for future proposals.
  • Support travel as needed (~10%).

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in technical, management, or business discipline.
  • 8+ years of experience in proposal management.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
  • Demonstrated success leading proposals with values greater than $100 million.
  • Technical writing expertise, with a proven ability to translate complex technical information into clear, concise, and persuasive language tailored to different audiences.
  • Project management experience, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, meeting deadlines while ensuring high-quality deliverables.
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams to achieve proposal objectives.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
  • Active U.S. security clearance.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
  • Experience using tools such as Salesforce and SharePoint.
  • Exceptional attention to detail and the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks.
  • Background in organizational effectiveness and operations, implementing best practices.
  • Experience with proposal frameworks and methodologies.
  • Familiarity with industry-standard proposal processes such as Shipley or APMP.
  • Familiarity with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
  • Aerospace or defense industry experience, with a strong understanding of the competitive landscape, customer base, and technology trends in the aerospace or satellite industry.
  • Ability to effectively present proposal concepts and strategies to internal stakeholders, including team members and leadership.
  • Proven ability to build relationships with internal stakeholders, including engineers, leadership, and cross-functional team members.

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.

Anticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.

Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company 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, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

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.

Total Compensation (base and equity)

$135,000-$189,000 USD

Base Salary

$116,000-$160,000 USD

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a private American aerospace manufacturer and small satellite launch service provider. The company was founded in 2006 by New Zealander Peter Beck. Rocket Lab's Electron rocket is designed to launch small payloads of up to 300 kg into low Earth orbit. The company has launched several successful missions and has contracts with NASA and other organizations. Rocket Lab has raised over $200 million in funding and has offices in the United States and New Zealand.
Learn more about Rocket Lab
Size
500 employees
Market Cap
$1.6 billion
Industry
Founded
2006
NASDAQ

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