Business Development Lead​/Manager, Launch

Business Development Lead/Manager, Launch

Long Beach, CA

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 to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital missions worldwide, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation, climate‑change missions, 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. We are also developing Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellations. Rocket Lab’s Space Systems business designs and builds an extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Rocket Lab’s Business Development team connects customers across government and commercial sectors with our industry‑leading mission solutions spanning launch and space systems. Working closely with new and existing customers, the team understands their needs and develops tailored solutions. Building and maintaining relationships with customers and internal engineering and operations teams is at the core of the Business Development function.

Based at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Business Development Lead/Manager captures government revenue (business development & sales) to enable Rocket Lab’s sustained operations and growth. The role supports the management and expansion of key government customer accounts for Electron and Neutron launch vehicles, as well as Dedicated, Primary Rideshare and Rideshare launch services.

(This position can be hired at the Business Development Lead or Manager level.)

• Develop and execute proposal plans, including analyzing RFPs, creating outlines, and building compliance matrices
• Execute U.S. Government Launch Services strategy, business development and sales
• Support proposal development and coordinate mission performance requirements with technical teams
• Execute winning strategies to rapidly grow new Government business
• Utilize professional network, business development techniques, and product knowledge to market launch services (Electron and Neutron) and mission services
• Work with marketing to formulate strategy for aerospace industry conferences and networking events
• Identify and capture new U.S. Government customer accounts
• Maintain up‑to‑date government satellite and launch market analysis to keep senior leadership and technical teams abreast of trends & services
• Host important customers during strategic company events, launches and press announcements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or business discipline
• U.S. citizenship required, due to program requirements
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• 5+ years in the aerospace industry
• Familiarity with proposal development and business capture
• Understanding of global government space markets
• Ability to travel up to 60% (domestic and international)

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or business discipline
• U.S. citizenship required, due to program requirements
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• 8+ years in the aerospace industry
• Familiarity with proposal development and business capture
• Understanding of global government space markets
• Ability to travel up to 60% (domestic and international)

• Master’s degree in business, engineering, or related field
• Progressively higher levels of leadership/management experience
• Strategic business planning, proposal & capture, and sales experience in aerospace or high‑tech industry

• Vision: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, focus
• Regularly required…