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Salary: USD 116,800 - 160,600 / annual
Rocket Lab is seeking a Mission Manager to manage customer missions from contract signature through payload integration and launch. Based at a North America site, you will work with both commercial and government customers, overseeing technical, programmatic, and financial milestones. The role involves hands-on payload integration activities including fit checks, dispenser and launch vehicle integration, and leading technical milestone reviews such as mission design and test readiness reviews with customers.
You will be responsible for developing and verifying Launch Vehicle to Payload Spacecraft Interface Control Documentation (ICD), maintaining constant contact with customers to answer technical questions, and assisting business development with proposal input, lead generation, and technical sales engineering reviews. The position includes representing the company at public events, conferences, and industry forums, as well as helping lead Mission Integrators in expanding their mission management skillset.
Frequent domestic and international travel is required, including to launch pads in Wallops, Virginia and Auckland, New Zealand, as well as customer sites. The role requires comfort working with complex technical and programmatic challenges in a fast-paced environment.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace preferred)
- 5+ years of mission management or technical program management experience
- Active DoD Secret Clearance (TS/SCI clearance preferred based on title)
- Hardware integration or project management experience on launch vehicles or spacecraft projects
- Ability to travel frequently to launch pads, customer sites, and overseas locations
- U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent resident status, or eligible to obtain required ITAR authorizations
NICE-TO-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with suborbital and/or hypersonic payloads
- Previous ITAR experience and establishment of TAAs
- Experience working with complex mechanical systems hands-on
- Ability to read mechanical and electrical drawings
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills with ability to assist in sales closure
- Understanding of technical constraints relative to payload launch
- Solid presentation and technical writing skills
