Business Operations Manager

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.

SPACE SYSTEMS

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 it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER

Based out of Rocket Lab's office in Littleton, CO, the Business Operations Manager will work directly with Senior Leadership to manage and drive closure on key business, operations, staff, and technology initiatives within Space Systems Software and the Denver site location. This position requires a strategic thinker and creative problem solver with strong leadership skills, organizational skills, technical skills, and a persistent desire to make lasting progress.

The successful candidate must demonstrate emotional intelligence to operate with confidence in difficult situations and be a role model for dedication to the company mission. Passion for personal and organizational efficiency is a must along with high standard of work product. With some guidance, this person will identify areas of greatest impact to the business, design and test creative solutions, and take ownership to implement them to completion.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

• Work in a fast-paced space software organization using agile principals.
• Make a lasting impact to daily operations, ensuring staff can operate effectively.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop strategic plans that align with company objectives.
• Collaborate with senior leaders using KPIs to drive strategy and execution excellence.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to manage financial performance.
• Design and implement organization-level process related to software technology, IT, business, staffing, hiring, project management, contracts, facilities, security, etc.
• Generate creative and scalable solutions to high impact problems.
• Construct and deliver communications at the organization level
• Maintain strong collaborative relationships with shared services and other business units.
• Implement reporting and autonomy across all business needs.
• Work with AI daily to drive operational excellence

YOU’LL BRING THESE

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, technology, engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of experience working in technology and/or business
• 2+ years’ experience in a leadership role
• Experience in a software, technology, or engineering business
• Experience in AI use for business or technology
• Understanding of agile methodologies

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Advanced degree in business, accounting, finance, technology, engineering, or related field
• Experience with Jira, Confluence, or similar
• Experience with Excel, including pivot tables
• Experience with aerospace or similar engineering field
• Experience with staff management and compensation
• Experience with P&L management
• Experience with technology integration
• Experience with IT project management
• Experience with AI tool development

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…