MISSION MANAGER

Based out of Rocket Lab Headquarters in Long Beach, California, Mission Managers work directly with customers from signing of contract through payload integration to launch at either our Auckland, New Zealand or Wallops, Virginia launch site. The ideal candidate is comfortable working with both commercial and government customers as well as frequent domestic and international travel. Prior mission management or mission integration experience required. Preferably in support of CubeSat, SmallSat, or small space payloads.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Management of multiple Rocket Lab customer missions, including technical, programmatic, and financial milestones.
• Oversees hands-on payload integration activities, including fit checks, dispenser and launch vehicle integration.
• Assists business development with proposal input, lead generation, and technical sales engineering reviews.
• Responsible for development and verification of Launch Vehicle to Spacecraft Interface Control Documentation (ICD).
• Ability to create and execute assembly integration instructions.
• In constant contact with customers to answer questions with technical staff as required.
• Represent the company at public events, including conferences, industry forums, outreach and recruiting events.
• Helps lead Mission Integrators in expanding their mission management skillset.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or technical discipline – Mechanical, Electrical or Aerospace degree preferred.
• 5+ years of mission management experience and/or an engineering background (stress, fatigue, payloads, vibration, thermal or similar).
• Hardware integration or project management experience on either launch vehicles or spacecraft projects.
• Ability to travel to launch pads, customer sites, and overseas 
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance

 THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Previous NSSL OR NLS  Experience
• Experience with CubeSats, SmallSats, or other small space payloads.
• ITAR - Previous experience with ITAR & establishment of TAA's.
• Previous Mission Management or Mission Integration experience.
• Experience working with complex mechanical systems with your own hands.
• Ability to read mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Ability to perform electrical and mechanical testing.
• Previous space sector sales engineering experience including management of customer expectations.
• Active DoD Secret clearance preferred, but not required.
• Solid interpersonal and organizational skills, able to assist with closure of sales / customer capture.
• Ability to understand technical constraints relative to payload launch including results from mission specific analysis.
• Solid presentation and technical writing skills.

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. 

NEUTRON

Neutron is a medium lift launch vehicle capable of delivering the mega constellations of tomorrow, high assurance payloads, and human spaceflight. As a highly reusable launch platform, Neutron will deliver a highly cost-effective and reliable launch solution leveraging Rocket Lab’s proven execution history with the Electron program. If you’re interested in joining a high performing team, pushing the boundaries with a clean sheet development of re-usable liquid launch vehicle, this is your opportunity!

PAYLOAD INTEGRATION ENGINEER II 

Rocket Lab is seeking an experienced payload integration engineer with previous launch vehicle or spacecraft integration experience. This role will work under the direction of the Team Lead for Payload Integration. The candidate must have demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: spacecraft or launch vehicle integration, systems engineering, and/or electrical/mechanical systems.

This candidate will interface with spacecraft customer integration teams and direct and perform tasks associated with the physical payload integration to the Electron and HASTE launch vehicle. This role requires a candidate who works well with a multidisciplinary team and can hold their own when presented with technical challenges in front of both internal and external customers. The position is based in Long Beach, CA at Rocket Lab Headquarters, but requires frequent travel to customers and launch sites worldwide.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Performs hands-on payload integration activities, including fit checks, dispenser, and launch vehicle integration
• Assists management in on-site integration planning and performance of daily coordination meetings during launch site integration periods.
• Provides inputs for development and verification of Launch Vehicle to Spacecraft Interface Control Documentation (ICD)
• Ability to create and execute assembly integration and test instructions
• Provide customer support to answer questions with internal technical staff as required
• Remain in constant contact with engineering staff regarding mechanical and electrical design needs based on mission requirements for the spacecraft integration.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or technical discipline and 2 +years of applicable experience
• Active US Government security clearance Secret or TS/SCI
• Previous launch vehicle or space hardware integration experience
• Demonstrated ability to understand technical constraints relative to payload integration
• Advanced presentation and technical writing skills
• Ability to travel to launch sites and customer sites including overseas (New Zealand and others)

 THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Mechanical, Electrical or Aerospace degree preferred
• Solid interpersonal and organizational skills
• Experience with CubeSats, SmallSats, or other small space payloads
• Ability to read mechanical and electrical drawings
• Ability to perform electrical and mechanical testing

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

MISSION MANAGER

Based out of Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, California, Mission Managers work directly with customers from signing of contract through payload integration to launch. This role is focused on supporting Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team with communication and coordination between Rocket Lab and external customers and launch service providers (LSP). The ideal candidate has previous hands-on experience with small spacecraft and is comfortable working with both commercial and government customers as well as frequent domestic and international travel.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Management of multiple Rocket Lab space systems missions, including technical, programmatic, and financial milestones.
• Oversees hands-on payload integration activities, including fit checks, dispenser and launch vehicle integration.
• Responsible for development and verification of Launch Vehicle to Spacecraft Interface Control Documentation (ICD) and verification artifacts
• In constant contact with customers and launch service providers to answer questions with technical staff as required.
• Shape spacecraft design and testing requirements for launch vehicle compatibility including mechanical, electrical, and thermal
• Plan launch site activities, develop and submit safety compliance documentation to range or LSP teams, travel to launch sites and execute campaign

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or technical discipline.
• 5+ years of mission/program management experience and/or an engineering background (stress, fatigue, payloads, vibration, thermal or similar).
• Hardware integration or project management experience on either launch vehicles or spacecraft projects.
• Ability to travel to launch sites, customer sites, and overseas (e.g. Rocket Labs New Zealand facility or launch sites worldwide).

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Mechanical, Electrical or Aerospace degree preferred
• Experience with SmallSats, or other small space payloads, especially launch integration campaigns.
• ITAR - Previous experience with ITAR & establishment of TAA's.
• Previous Mission Management or Mission Integration experience.
• Experience working with complex mechanical systems with your own hands.
• Ability to read mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Ability to perform electrical and mechanical testing.
• Active DoD Secret clearance preferred, but not required.
• Solid interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to understand technical constraints relative to payload launch including results from mission specific analysis.
• Solid presentation and technical writing skills.

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.