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Rocket Lab is seeking a Mission Manager to oversee customer missions for the Neutron launch vehicle program. Based at headquarters in Long Beach, California, you will manage multiple commercial and government customer missions from contract signature through payload integration and launch at facilities in Auckland, New Zealand or Wallops, Virginia.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing technical, programmatic, and financial milestones across multiple customer missions
- Overseeing hands-on payload integration activities including fit checks, dispenser integration, and launch vehicle integration
- Developing and verifying Launch Vehicle to Spacecraft Interface Control Documentation (ICD)
- Creating and executing assembly integration instructions
- Maintaining constant customer contact to address technical questions and concerns
- Supporting business development with proposal input, lead generation, and technical sales engineering reviews
- Representing the company at industry conferences, forums, and recruiting events
- Leading and mentoring Mission Integrators to expand their skillset
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace preferred)
- 5+ years of mission management experience and/or engineering background (stress, fatigue, payloads, vibration, thermal analysis)
- Hardware integration or project management experience on launch vehicles or spacecraft
- Ability to travel frequently to launch pads, customer sites, and internationally
- Ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance
Desirable qualifications include previous NSSL or NLS experience, CubeSat/SmallSat payload experience, ITAR compliance knowledge, hands-on mechanical systems experience, ability to read technical drawings, electrical and mechanical testing experience, space sector sales engineering background, active DoD Secret clearance, strong interpersonal and organizational skills, and excellent presentation and technical writing abilities.
