{"id":3657853,"url":"https://alion.io/job/rocket-lab-mission-manager-2","title":"Mission Manager","company":{"id":684473,"name":"Rocket Lab","domain":"rocketlab.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/rocketlab-2","size_band":"1001-5000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Greenhouse","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":80,"open_postings":86,"ghost_share":0.012,"stale_share":0.756,"repost_share":0.023,"time_to_fill_p50_days":43,"computed_at":"2026-11-03T05:54:40Z"}},"role":"Aerospace","role_family":"Aerospace","seniority":"senior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Long Beach, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":137075,"max":196275,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":196275},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":5,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-02T22:15:33Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-02","last_verified_at":"2026-11-03T11:36:26Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":0,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":0},"description":"ABOUT ROCKET LAB\nRocket 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.\nMISSION MANAGER \nBased out of one of Rocket Lab sites in North America, 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 for Rocket Lab’s HASTE program. 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 suborbital and/or hypersonic payloads. \nWHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO: \nManagement of multiple Rocket Lab customer missions, including technical, programmatic, and financial milestones. \nOversee hands-on payload integration activities, including fit checks, dispenser and launch vehicle integration. \nLead technical milestone reviews with customers such as mission design or test readiness reviews \nAssists business development with proposal input, lead generation, and technical sales engineering reviews. \nResponsible for development and verification of Launch Vehicle to Payload Spacecraft Interface Control Documentation (ICD). \nIn constant contact with customers to answer questions with technical staff as required. \nRepresent the company at public events, including conferences, industry forums, outreach and recruiting events. \nHelps lead Mission Integrators in expanding their mission management skillset \nYOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS FOR A MISSION MANAGER: \nBachelor's degree in an engineering or technical discipline - Mechanical, Electrical or Aerospace degree preferred. \n5+ years of mission management experience/Technical program management experience \nHardware integration or project management experience on either launch vehicles or spacecraft projects. \nAbility to travel to launch pads, customer sites, and overseas (e.g. Rocket Labs New Zealand facility/launch site). \nMust be willing and able to obtain a TS/SCI Clearance\nTHESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: \nExperience with Suborbital and/or hypersonic payloads \nITAR - Previous experience with ITAR & establishment of TAA's. \nPrevious Mission Management or Mission Integration experience. \nExperience working with complex mechanical systems with your own hands. \nAbility to read mechanical and electrical drawings. \nSolid interpersonal and organizational skills, able to assist with closure of sales / customer capture. \nAbility to understand technical constraints relative to payload launch including results from mission specific analysis. \nSolid presentation and technical writing skills. \n 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\nAnticipated annual equity grant value is designed around function, level, experience, and other factors; realized value depends on vesting and stock-price performance.\nJoin one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay, you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.\nOur comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match, and free snacks/drinks onsite.\nLevel and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.\nTotal Compensation (base and equity)\n$137,075—$196,275 USD\nBase Salary\n$116,800—$160,600 USD\nWHAT TO EXPECT \nWe’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. \nImportant information:\nFOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:\nTo 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.\nRocket 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.\nApplicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at . 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.\nFOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:\nFor 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. \nUnder 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.","description_format":"text","description_chars":7384,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":5,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":true,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Life insurance","Parental leave","Retirement plans"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"},{"name":"Canada","iso":"CA","kind":"region"},{"name":"Mexico","iso":"MX","kind":"region"},{"name":"Anguilla","iso":"AI","kind":"region"},{"name":"Antigua and Barbuda","iso":"AG","kind":"region"},{"name":"Aruba","iso":"AW","kind":"region"},{"name":"Bahamas","iso":"BS","kind":"region"},{"name":"Barbados","iso":"BB","kind":"region"},{"name":"Belize","iso":"BZ","kind":"region"},{"name":"Bermuda","iso":"BM","kind":"region"},{"name":"British Virgin 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