Senior Program Manager II, RF Systems - TS/SCI Pipeline

Rocket Lab  · Long Beach, CA  · Feb 17, 2026

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations. Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope. 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...

Responsibilities:
Command the Lifecycle: Drive the technical roadmap for advanced payloads from a "blank sheet" concept through flight qualification and high-rate production.
Unblock Excellence: Synchronize cross-functional teams across hardware, software, and spectrum management. Your job is to remove every obstacle in their path to ensure scalable, high-throughput connectivity reaches the user on time.
Lead the Team of Teams: Partner with Chief Engineers to navigate the brutal trade-offs of Phased Arrays, Digital Signal Processing, and Production.
Forge the Supply Chain: Manage high-stakes subcontracts and vendors not as "line items," but as strategic partners essential to our mission's heartbeat.
Influence the Future: Partner with BD & Strategy for complex proposals and technical narratives that define the next generation of RF Systems and Payloads.
Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or Math
8+ years of experience in managing technical projects for aerospace/defense tech industries
Proven ability to lead a team to the completion of program and project milestones
Proven track record of transitioning integrated hardware and software products from low volume prototypes to scalable, flight ready production
Understanding of the nuances of transponders, SAR or advanced communication systems
Experience identifying technical, schedule or supply chain risks and neutralize them before they impact the mission
Active TS/SCI clearance
Systems Fluency: You speak the language of Systems Engineering. You can navigate complex trade studies, manage interface controls, and maintain requirement integrity while keeping the team moving at speed.
Advanced Technical Credibility: A Master’s degree in Engineering or a related field that allows you to peer-review technical roadmaps and bridge the gap between theory and flight hardware.
Modern Toolchain Mastery: You leverage Jira, Confluence, and ERP systems as high-fidelity sensors to track program health and automate transparency.
Clearance Required: TS/SCI
Apply Now
Company
Rocket Lab
Location
Long Beach, CA
More jobs in Long Beach
Job Type
Full-time
Category
RF / Microwave
Posted
Feb 17, 2026
Source
Original posting ↗