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Salary: USD 107,200 - 134,000 / annual
Rocket Lab is seeking a Mission Manager to manage customer missions from contract signature through payload integration and launch. Based in Littleton, CO (one of Rocket Lab's North American sites), you will work directly with both commercial and government customers, overseeing missions launching from Auckland, New Zealand or Wallops, Virginia as part of Rocket Lab's HASTE program.
Key responsibilities include:
- Manage multiple customer missions, tracking technical, programmatic, and financial milestones
- Oversee hands-on payload integration activities including fit checks, dispenser integration, and launch vehicle integration
- Lead technical milestone reviews with customers such as mission design and test readiness reviews
- Support business development with proposal input, lead generation, and technical sales engineering reviews
- Develop and verify Launch Vehicle to Payload Spacecraft Interface Control Documentation (ICD)
- Maintain constant customer contact to answer technical questions with support from technical staff
- Represent the company at public events, conferences, industry forums, and recruiting events
- Mentor Mission Integrators in expanding their mission management skillset
The role requires frequent domestic and international travel, including to launch pads, customer sites, and Rocket Lab's New Zealand facility.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
- 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 to launch pads, customer sites, and overseas locations
Preferred:
- Experience with suborbital and/or hypersonic payloads
- ITAR experience and establishment of TAAs
- Previous mission management or mission integration experience
- Hands-on experience with complex mechanical systems
- 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
- Strong presentation and technical writing skills
