Mission Manager

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets spacecraft and critical subsystems that keep the world connected protected expand humanitys reach to the Moon Mars and beyond. We move fast build real hardware for meaningful missions and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

MISSION MANAGER

Based out of one of Rocket Lab sites in North America Mission Managers work directly with customers from signing of contract through payload integration to launch at either our Auckland New Zealand or Wallops Virginia launch site for Rocket Labs HASTE program. The ideal candidate is comfortable working with both commercial and government customers as well as frequent domestic and international travel. Prior mission management or mission integration experiencerequired preferably in support of suborbital and/or hypersonic payloads.

WHAT YOULL GET TO DO:

• Management of multiple Rocket Lab customer missions including technical programmatic and financial milestones.
• Overseehands-on payload integration activities including fit checksdispenserand launch vehicle integration.
• Lead technical milestone reviews with customers such as mission design or test readiness reviews
• Assistsbusiness development with proposal input lead generation and technical sales engineering reviews.
• Responsible for development and verification of Launch Vehicle to Payload Spacecraft Interface Control Documentation (ICD).
• In constant contact with customers to answer questions with technical staff asrequired.
• Represent the company at public events including conferences industry forumsoutreachand recruiting events.
• Helps lead Mission Integrators in expanding their mission management skillset

YOULL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS FOR A MISSION MANAGER:

• Bachelors degree in an engineering or technical discipline Mechanical Electrical or Aerospace degree preferred.
• 5 years of mission management experience/Technical program management experience
• Hardware integration or project management experience on either launch vehicles or spacecraft projects.
• Ability to travel to launch pads customer sites and overseas ( Labs New Zealand facility/launch site).
• Must be willing and able to obtain a TS/SCI Clearance

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with Suborbital and/or hypersonic payloads
• ITAR -Previousexperience with ITAR & establishment of TAAs.
• PreviousMission Management or Mission Integration experience.
• Experience working with complex mechanical systems with your own hands.
• Ability to read mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Solid interpersonal and organizational skills able toassistwith closure of sales / customer capture.
• Ability to understand technical constraintsrelativeto payload launch including results from mission specific analysis.
• Solid presentation and technical writing skills.

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.