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Salary: USD 213,000 - 320,000 / annual
Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Director of Business Development focused on driving growth in the satellite market, with emphasis on national security opportunities. Based at headquarters in Long Beach, CA, you will lead business development initiatives, identify and engage potential clients, develop strategic partnerships, and secure contracts that expand market share in the rapidly growing defense and civil space sectors.
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead business development initiatives for satellite solutions targeting defense applications
- Develop and execute capture strategies for large defense and civil space contracts with government agencies and prime contractors
- Build and maintain long-term relationships with key customer stakeholders, ensuring alignment with evolving needs
- Collaborate cross-functionally to prepare and deliver compelling proposals that win new business
- Monitor industry trends and competitor activities to inform strategy
- Grow existing business and develop additional opportunities with current customers
- Create new business opportunities by presenting Rocket Lab's satellite capabilities, bus offerings, and complete satellite solutions
- Lead and participate in proposal activities including technical, management, cost, schedule, and proposal content generation
- Develop strong relationships across all business levels to ensure alignment and collaboration
- Represent Rocket Lab at industry conferences and customer meetings
- Travel as needed for business opportunities (up to 50% domestic and international)
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. The Business Development team connects customers across government and commercial sectors with industry-leading mission solutions spanning launch and space systems, working closely with engineering and operations teams.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or other technical discipline
- 15+ years of experience in business development, program management, or systems engineering within the aerospace sector
- In-depth knowledge of government acquisition processes, government contracting, and the national security landscape
- Proven track record of securing large (>$20M) contracts and managing strategic relationships within the aerospace industry
- Active TS/SCI security clearance (required)
- Ability to support frequent domestic and international travel (up to 50%)
NICE-TO-HAVE QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master's degree in aerospace engineering, related engineering field, or business
- Specialization in US government business development with deep experience selling to US national security (Space Force, NRO, SDA, etc.) or US Civil Space (NASA, NOAA, etc.)
- Demonstrable record of success in business development, sales, program management, and/or engineering of satellite systems, payloads, or platforms
- Extensive awareness of current/ongoing US Government national security or civil space satellite programs
- Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
- Experience leading, managing, and growing geographically dispersed teams on fast-paced projects
- Proficiency in Microsoft Suite products, including MS Project
- General knowledge of industry-specific technical and quality requirements
- Experience with CRM software
- Experience with proposal development, writing, and capture processes; ability to independently complete cost and technical proposals
- Experience working with subject matter experts to create compelling proposal content and detailed responses
