Senior Director, Business Development - Civil & Commercial

About Rocket Lab Corporation Rocket Lab builds, launches, and operates rockets and spacecraft for our global customers. Our Electron launch vehicle is the world’s most frequently launched orbital small rocket, our HASTE rocket is progressing America’s hypersonic capabilities on suborbital missions, and our larger Neutron rocket is currently in development. From across the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures individual spacecraft components to entire satellites constellations for missions to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Rocket Lab Corporation

We open access to space to improve life on Earth.

AerospaceSatellitesRocketsManufacturingand Satellite components

R

rocketlabcorp.com

1,001-5,000 employees

Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing

Long Beach, California

2006

Public Company

383k LinkedIn followers

Raised $11B

• 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.
• Based at Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, CA, as the Senior Director,
• Business Development, you will drive Rocket Lab’s growth in the satellite
• market. You will work with a range of customers, but primarily focused on civil
• and commercial opportunities such as government civil space agencies, research
• institutions, Earth observation, and technology companies. 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.

Required

• 15+ years of experience in business development, program management, or
• systems engineering within the aerospace sector
• In-depth knowledge of commercial acquisition processes, government
• contracting, and the commercial space landscape
• Proven track record of securing large (>$20M) contracts and managing
• strategic relationships within the aerospace industry
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• Ability to support frequent domestic and international travel (up to 50%) to
• meet with clients, attend industry events, and support capture efforts
• 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.
• Join 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.
• Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock
• Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans
• (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company
• contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid
• holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave,
• disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where
• available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50%
• employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee
• discounts.
• Level 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.
• Base Pay Range (CA Only)
• $214,000—$321,000 USD
• 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.
• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the
• Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and
• applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any
• 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
• Regulations.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or related engineering field; or
• business
• Specialization in civil and commercial business development
• Demonstrable record of success in business development, sales, program
• management and/or engineering of satellite systems, payloads, or platforms
• Extensive awareness of current/ongoing commercial 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

• Lead business development initiatives focused on satellite solutions for
• civil and commercial applications
• Develop and execute capture strategies for securing large commercial or civil
• space contracts,
• 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