Senior Technical Program Manager II

rocketlab

Tucson, AZ · Tucson · United States

Posted Jan 8, 2026

Other
Remote
121 OS - Space Programs

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Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

SPACE SYSTEMS

At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more.

Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space

Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

SENIOR TECHNICAL PROGRAM MANAGER II

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) customers. Our vision is to revolutionize the space-based payload market with innovative and novel designs for space, terrestrial, and airborne environments. Building on more than 20 years of electro-optical and infrared systems innovation from Geost, Optical Systems delivers solutions to the warfighter for responsive, scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior Technical Program Manager II based at our Optical Systems site in Tucson, AZ, you will have the opportunity to lead efforts for EO space missions, ground-based sensor networks, and the research and development of new and novel technologies. To be successful in this role, you must possess experience in managing programs including electronics, software, and EO sensors on space or ground systems. Join a driven team of pioneers relentlessly tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space!

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

Manage multiple contracts, ensuring cost, risk, schedule, staffing resources, and technical performance of company programs or subsystems of major programs, addressing any issues or risks that arise
Identify and mitigate potential risks to programs, develop contingency plans, develop and execute recovery plans, ensure timely resolution of issues, and track financial impacts
Work on unusually complex technical problems and provide innovative solutions
Lead team(s) of engineers in planning and executing test events and resolving issues encountered, both operational and technical
Work proactively to complete tasks and meet assigned deadlines with little direction
Build and deliver effective presentations to communicate program status and plans with little direction
Communicate effectively with team members across disciplines, with project management, and particularly with customers
Maintain clear and consistent communication and foster strong relationships with a wide range of internal stakeholders, particularly with functional teams and executive leadership
Build and maintain trusted relationships with key customers, partners, and stakeholders
Lead program and customer meetings and reviews
Lead technical interchange meetings with the team members and other project personnel and represent the organization in matters pertaining to project development
Lead and mentor junior technical staff and program support resources, providing guidance and support as needed
Develop and closely track Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) for projects and manage Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics (as required)
Support, and influence/lead where required, proposal and ECP efforts
Support travel or off-site work as needed
Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS YOU’LL BRING AS SENIOR TECHNICAL PROGRAM MANAGER II:

Bachelor’s degree in business, technology, or other field
8+ years of experience in managing technical projects for the US Government
Proven ability to lead a team to the completion of program and project milestones
Hands-on expertise with active optical systems
Experience with space EO payloads, test plan development, astronomy, physics, electronics, software, and/or remote-sensing
Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
U.S citizenship is required, due to program requirements

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

Current SSBI clearance
Excellent communication and presentation skills
Self-motivated and capable of performing tasks with minimal oversight
Superior oral and written communication skills and sound problem-solving skills
Continuous improvement mindset and high attention to detail and accuracy
Experience performing and working in a dynamic and high-visibility role
Excellent management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, manage resources, and deliver results within given constraints
Internship or research experience supporting aerospace, defense, or optics-related projects
Exposure to MBSE concepts and tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler
Familiarity with environmental testing flight hardware
Experience with configuration management practices and systems engineering documentation
Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, including use of formulas and data analysis tools
Interest in or background knowledge of astronomy, physics, imaging systems, or remote sensing

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus
Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in writing
Must be physically able to commute to buildings
Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate levels of noise

This position may require prolonged periods of sitting, standing, walking, computer work, and occasional exposure to moderate levels of noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important information:

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.