Senior Program Manager I

About The Role

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 humanity’s 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.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER

Rocket Lab Robotics is developing advanced robotic and automated systems that support Rocket Lab’s high-reliability manufacturing, test, and mission-enabling operations. The team brings together engineering, production, supply chain, quality, and operations to build the hardware, tooling, and integrated systems needed to move quickly from concept through production. Rocket Lab Robotics plays a critical role in helping Rocket Lab scale complex electromechanical products with speed, quality, and precision.

Based onsite at Rocket Lab Robotics in Pasadena, CA, the Senior Program Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and delivering multiple concurrent projects across our robotics and electromechanical product lines. The Senior Project Manager reports to the Director of Programs and serves as the primary project interface to customers and internal stakeholders, maintaining disciplined control of cost, schedule, and scope across a simultaneous project portfolio. This role requires a highly organized self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, matrixed environment and can independently drive projects from proposal support through contract closeout.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Own the full project lifecycle — planning, execution, monitoring, and closeout — for multiple concurrent projects across robotics and electromechanical product lines.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, work breakdown structures (WBS), integrated master schedules (IMS), and budgets for each assigned project.
• Establish and enforce planning and control baselines; track cost, schedule, and technical performance against those baselines and communicate variances proactively.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers on assigned projects; organize and lead customer milestone reviews such as Kickoff Meetings, PDRs, and CDRs.
• Lead cross-functional project teams consisting of Design, Electrical, Software, and Manufacturing/Technician personnel, coordinating priorities across simultaneous projects.
• Manage technical and project-level risks; identify scope changes and contractual modifications; develop and communicate corrective actions in a timely manner.
• Drive action item tracking and follow-through using agile project management tools; lead regular team and customer status meetings.
• Compile and present project status, schedule, and cost reporting to customers and senior leadership.
• Support proposal development efforts in partnership with Business Development, including basis-of-estimate (BOE) generation and proposal documentation.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and repeatability across the project management function.
• Mentor and support junior Project Administrators and Project Managers within the Programs team.
• Perform other duties as requested by your manager, relevant to your role.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of project management experience in the aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing industry, with demonstrated success delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Proven ability to manage multiple simultaneous small-to-mid-size projects with competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience managing the full project lifecycle from proposal support through contract closeout.
• Strong command of project planning tools; high proficiency in MS Project required.
• Working knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM/EVMS) principles and experience applying them to program cost and schedule reporting.
• Experience with government contracting environments and familiarity with ITAR-controlled programs.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in a matrixed organization without direct authority over all contributors.
• Proficient in MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Due to program requirements, must be a U.S Citizen

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• PMP (Project Management Professional) certification or active pursuit thereof.
• Experience with space robotics, electromechanical systems, or motion control products.
• Familiarity with agile project management methodologies and tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence).
• Experience with Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) in a DoD or NASA contracting context.
• Established relationships with NASA, FFRDC, or DoD program offices.
• Experience supporting Business Development through capture activities and proposal coordination.
• Graduate-level degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or Project/Systems 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. 

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)

$137,075—$181,675 USD

Base Salary

$116,000—$146,000 USD

WHAT TO EXPECT 

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s 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 other’s 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 View email address on rocketlabcorp.com 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.