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Rocket Lab is seeking a Business Development Director for Optical Systems to serve as the primary interface between laser communications and optical payload customers and internal engineering, production, and management teams. Based at the Long Beach headquarters, you will report to the Senior Director of Business Development, Optical Systems.
Key responsibilities include responding to customer technical inquiries about Rocket Lab Optical Systems (RLOS) and Mynaric products; drafting proposals with compliance matrices aligned to customer technical, programmatic, and product assurance requirements; developing and managing relationships with customers, teaming partners, and industry associations; and using Salesforce to track leads, opportunities, and proposals while generating KPIs.
You will monitor sales performance and forecast demand by product, track pipeline trends with total and in-forecast breakouts, maintain customer-facing technical documentation in collaboration with engineering, and support the team with quotes and export license applications. Additional responsibilities include collaborating with communications on campaigns and marketing materials, staying current on satellite competitive landscape and market trends, analyzing competitive positioning, managing bid and proposal budgets, providing guidance to capture teams on technical and contractual issues, and leading writing efforts for BAAs, RFIs, and RFPs.
Travel up to 50% domestically and internationally to meet clients, attend industry events, and support capture efforts.
Required qualifications: Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical discipline; 12+ years in business development, program management, or systems engineering in aerospace; experience in national security space sector; active TS/SCI security clearance; and experience with SCI and SAP/SAR programs.
Desirable experience includes prior roles at NRO, Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, or Space Rapid Capabilities Office; deep business development experience selling to US national security agencies (Space Force, NRO, SDA) and civil space (NASA, NOAA); design, manufacture, or test of optical payloads and laser communications; and experience aligning R&D investment with technology roadmaps.
