Construction Project Director

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services complete spacecraft design and manufacturing payloads satellite components and more all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally supporting scientific exploration Earth observation and missions to combat climate change national security and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rockethas become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit all while we work to develop Neutron our upcoming medium-lift reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites payloads and their components including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

FACILITIES

Rocket Labs Facilities team is responsible for maintenance operations and improvements projects across our locations making sure that the facilities our teams use every day are well looked after and operating as they should.

CONSTRUCTION PROJECT DIRECTOR

The Construction Project Director is a senior leadership role responsible for planning executing and delivering largescale construction and facilities projects that support aerospace manufacturing test operations R&D environments and missioncritical infrastructure. This leader oversees all phases of capital construction from concept and design through commissioning ensuring projects are delivered on time on budget and to aerospacegrade safety and quality standards.

The Director partners closely with Facilities Manufacturing Engineering EHS Supply Chain and Executive Leadership to ensure new facilities expansions and infrastructure upgrades align with longterm operational and production goals.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Lead the endtoend strategy for construction and facilities development across aerospace manufacturing and test sites.
• Translate longrange operational needs into facility and infrastructure roadmaps.
• Develop multiyear capital plans and ensure alignment with corporate growth objectives.
• Provide executivelevel reporting risk assessments and recommendations.

Project Management & Execution

• Oversee all phases of construction projects including scoping budgeting scheduling permitting design procurement construction and commissioning.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects ranging from highbay manufacturing facilities to clean rooms test stands labs and specialized aerospace infrastructure.
• Ensure strict adherence to aerospacegrade quality safety and regulatory standards.

Capital Budgeting & Financial Oversight

• Own capital project budgets forecasts and financial controls.
• Evaluate ROI payback and lifecycle cost impacts for major construction investments.
• Lead contractor bidding negotiation and contract management.

CrossFunctional Partnership

• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering Test Operations and Supply Chain to ensure facility designs support production throughput equipment installation and future scalability.
• Partner with EHS to ensure compliance with OSHA EPA NFPA and aerospacespecific safety requirements.
• Coordinate with local jurisdictions permitting agencies and regulatory bodies.

Vendor Contractor & Stakeholder Management

• Select negotiate and manage general contractors architects engineers and specialty vendors.
• Ensure contractor performance meets cost schedule and quality expectations.
• Lead weekly construction reviews site walks and executive updates.

Risk Compliance & Safety

• Identify and mitigate construction risks schedule delays cost overruns and scope changes.
• Ensure all construction activities comply with aerospace industry standards building codes and environmental regulations.
• Champion a culture of safety across all job sites.

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• 12 years of progressive experience in construction project management and a bachelors degree or equivalent years of work experience (16 years of total work experience).
• 5 years leading largescale industrial or manufacturing construction projects.
• Proven experience delivering capital projects $20M$200M.
• Strong knowledge of aerospace defense or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Expertise in contract negotiation budgeting scheduling and risk management.

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.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Were on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth but thats not an easy task. It takes hard work determination relentless innovation teamwork grit and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think out-work and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each others backs checking our egos at the door and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure work to tight deadlines and our focus is always on how we can deliver rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder) or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoff recall transfer leaves of absence compensation and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia Japan New Zealand Switzerland the European Union or a country that is part of NATO or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations click here ITAR Regulations.