Director, IT Infrastructure Operations

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 rockethas 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.

Rocket Lab’s IT team is responsible for how our global teams access information and run operations across our computer systems, networks, and devices. Our hardworking IT team is a group of flexible problem-solvers working in a fast-paced environment but who also thrive under the challenge of supporting all of our proprietary systems and people, from finance to launch operations.

Based onsite at Rocket Lab’s headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Director of IT Infrastructure reports to the Vice President of IT and develops IT support system strategies, processes and procedures to deliver reliable, repeatable, and scalable information technology solutions to meet Rocket Lab’s expanding business needs. This employee will ensure the efficient delivery of technology to meet the needs of Rocket Lab employees while ensuring high level of security and compliance standards.

• Development of a high performing team of IT engineers, located around the world, with priority on enabling our engineers to design, develop, and manufacture world class technology products and solutions.
• Leader in computing, storage, network, OS, and Devops technologies required to support a dynamic engineering company that is developing the latest Rocket and Satellite technology.
• Defines and manages IT infrastructure priorities with business leaders including Space Systems and Launch Operation teams to ensure aggressive business priorities are achieved by the team.
• Develops industry leading processes and procedures for managing global infrastructures services across many Rocket Lab facilities, with on-premises infrastructure as well as cloud-based infrastructure, while delivering high availably and uptime.
• Ensures fleet of infrastructure equipment meets Rocket Lab security and compliance standards.
• Develops relationships with vendors for procurement of IT software and hardware. Negotiates most favorable agreements for Rocket Lab.
• Develop strategy for 24x7 global support model.

• 12+ years' experience with increasing responsibility in IT infrastructure with Operations, Data Centers, Virtualization, O365, Networks, Support, and Security.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years of experience (16+ years total work experience).
• IT leadership in a globally diverse organization.
• Experience in high tech, engineering and/or manufacturing organizations.
• U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements.

• Experience in a high-availability 24/7 Cloud/AWS/Azure and On-Prem environment.
• Technical expertise in components like Windows, Linux, VMWare, iSeries, Networking, SAN, Switches, Firewall, Wifi and Access Points, etc.
• Experience with M&A (due diligence, integration planning, execution) and impacts on IT.
• Prior experience in rapid growth environment.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to focus.
• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, operate computer keyboard and controls, and communicate verbally and in…