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. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Rocket Lab’s Business Development team is responsible for connecting customers across government and commercial sectors with our industry leading mission solutions spanning launch and space systems. They work closely with new and existing customers to understand their needs and develop tailored solutions to deliver their missions. Building and maintaining relationships with customers and internally with engineering and operations teams is at the core of our Business Development team. They have their fingers on the pulse of the space industry and are driven to deliver results for our customers and our business. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, NATIONAL SECURITY – TS/SCI CLEARANCE Based at Rocket Lab's site in Chantilly, VA, as the Business Development Director you will drive Rocket Lab’s growth in the satellite market. You will work with a range of customers, but primarily focused on national security opportunities. Your role will involve identifying and engaging with potential clients, developing strategic partnerships, and leading efforts to secure contracts that expand our market share in this rapidly growing sector. WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO: Lead business development initiatives focused on satellite solutions for defense applications Develop and execute capture strategies for securing large defense or civil space contracts, including those with government agencies and prime contractors Engage with key customer stakeholders to build and maintain long-term relationships, ensuring Rocket Lab’s solutions align with their evolving needs Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prepare and deliver compelling proposals that meet customer requirements and win new business Monitor industry trends and competitor activities to inform and adapt our business development strategies Grow existing business opportunities and nurture relationships with existing customers to develop additional business opportunities Create new business opportunities and relationships by presenting Rocket Lab’s capabilities/experience to provide satellite solutions – including bus offerings and complete satellites to meet mission requirements Lead and/or participate in proposal activities, including generation of technical, management, cost, schedule, and proposal content for new business Develop strong relationships across all levels of the business to ensure alignment, efficiency, and collaboration, including coordinating with stakeholders Represent Rocket Lab at industry conferences and customer meetings Travel as needed for business opportunities Other duties as assigned or required YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline 12+ 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 Ability to support frequent domestic and international travel (up to 50%) to meet with clients, attend industry events, and support capture efforts THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or 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 Proficient in all Microsoft Suite products, including MS Project General knowledge of industry specific technical requirements and quality requirements Experience using customer relationship management (CRM) software Experience with proposal development, writing, and best practice capture processes, and ability to independently complete cost and technical proposals Experience working with subject matter experts to collect and create compelling proposal content and detailed responses 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. The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the state of Virginia’s pay transparency requirements. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. Base salary is only one part of Rocket Lab’s compensation package for this role. You may be eligible for company stock, or cash incentives, and can purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab’s Employee Stock Purchase Program. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks. Base Pay Range (VA Only) $187,000 — $280,000 USD 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.

Requirements

Must-haves

Lead business development initiatives focused on satellite solutions for defense applications
Develop and execute capture strategies for securing large defense or civil space contracts, including those with government agencies and prime contractors
Engage with key customer stakeholders to build and maintain long-term relationships, ensuring Rocket Lab’s solutions align with their evolving needs
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prepare and deliver compelling proposals that meet customer requirements and win new business
Monitor industry trends and competitor activities to inform and adapt our business development strategies
Grow existing business opportunities and nurture relationships with existing customers to develop additional business opportunities
Create new business opportunities and relationships by presenting Rocket Lab’s capabilities/experience to provide satellite solutions – including bus offerings and complete satellites to meet mission requirements
Lead and/or participate in proposal activities, including generation of technical, management, cost, schedule, and proposal content for new business
Develop strong relationships across all levels of the business to ensure alignment, efficiency, and collaboration, including coordinating with stakeholders
Represent Rocket Lab at industry conferences and customer meetings
Travel as needed for business opportunities
Other duties as assigned or required
Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline
12+ 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
Ability to support frequent domestic and international travel (up to 50%) to meet with clients, attend industry events, and support capture efforts
Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or 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

Nice-to-haves

None flagged.

Application prep

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Platform: greenhouse
Effort: quick

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

Dental

Vision

401(K)

Parental Leave