Senior Program Manager I

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 I

Based out of Rocket Lab's new site in Albuquerque, NM as part of the SolAero Technologies acquisition, the Senior Program Manager I is responsible for the execution of the program lifecycle, including definition, planning, execution, and closeout for assigned programs. The PM manages program scope, schedule, and budget (including revenue forecasting, margin, and profit & loss) in accordance with customer and corporate objectives, while operating within established policies, processes, and procedures. The PM ensures overall compliance with program contract requirements and partners with management, engineering, manufacturing, test, and quality assurance to achieve compliance.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Serve as the principal point of contact for customers.
• Accountable for the entire program lifecycle, including definition, planning, execution, and closeout.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to specifications.
• Anticipate customer needs and manage changes in project scope, schedule, budget, and personnel to ensure customer satisfaction.
• Responsible for and has authority over overall compliance with SolAero Technologies program requirements, including management, engineering, manufacturing, test, and quality assurance activities.
• Provide visibility to customers on all aspects of performance.
• Define program tasks and schedules with manufacturing and provide budgets for each task.
• Interface with functional management to ensure adequate human and other resources are allocated to meet program cost, technical, and schedule requirements.
• Responsible for program Profit & Loss; interface with Finance to compile monthly reports.
• Preempt potential problems and provide effective solutions using concepts, techniques, knowledge, or processes.
• Make recommendations on leadership solutions, ensure project objectives are set, and clarify team member roles.
• Proactively manage and communicate project risks and issues.
• Recommend solutions to bottlenecks and conflicts between multiple teams/functions.
• Monitor and review team delivery for internal, external, local, and remote resources; hold team members accountable to commitments.
• Communicate project progress frequently and effectively to staff and executive levels; work within the organization to evaluate project results.
• Display a high level of critical thinking in resolving high-impact, complex, and/or cross-functional problems.
• Ability to be broadly focused while paying attention to detail and concurrently managing multiple efforts.
• Work effectively with all levels of the organization, including staff, business stakeholders, and management.
• Demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills, including those necessary for an executive audience.
• Exhibit strong conflict resolution, negotiation, and influential skills.
• Thrive in fast-paced, changing, and ambiguous environments.
• Proven experience with a project management methodology.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Project Management or related field.
• 5+ years of related experience, including project/program management or managerial experience with implementation of large-scale, cross-functional projects in a technology environment.
• Program management experience, preferably in the solar and/or wind industries, specifically managing Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts.
• Experience in energy project management, financial analysis, or project financing within the solar industry is a plus, as well as a good understanding of the economics of energy projects, including capital cost, variable cost, and IRR calculations.
• Demonstrated achievements in planning, directing, and implementing complex projects on time, within budget, and with desired functionality.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with ERP systems and WBS structures.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Experience with space-based solar projects and technologies.
• Experience with DoD and/or NASA programs.
• Experience with a variety of contract types (firm fixed price, cost-plus, etc.).
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Strong conflict resolution, negotiation, and influential skills.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented.

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

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.

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 click.appcast.io. 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.