Business Development Director, Optical Systems - TS​/SCI Clearance

ABOUT ROCKET LABRocket 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.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 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.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, OPTICAL SYSTEMS – TS/SCI CLEARANCE Based at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Business Development Director, Optical Systems is the primary interface between laser communications and optical payload customers and the engineering, production, and management teams. You will report directly to the Senior Director of Business Development, Optical Systems, and your primary responsibilities will include:

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

Provide timely responses to all customer technical inquiries regarding Rocket Lab Optical Systems (RLOS) and Mynaric products.

Draft proposals for new business opportunities, including Compliance Matrices to customer technical, programmatic, and product assurance requirements.

Develop and manage relationships with customers, teaming partners, and industry associations to drive partnerships and new business.

Use Rocket Lab internal tools such as Salesforce to track leads, opportunities, and proposals, and generate related KPIs.Monitor sales performance and generate forecasted demand on a product-by-product basis.

Track the pipeline trend/fluctuations with total pipeline and in-forecast pipeline breakout.

Maintain and improve customer-facing technical documentation, and work with the Engineering team to address any technical gaps.

Support the Business Development team by generating quotes and export license applications, and follow up on pending items.

Collaborate with the Communications team throughout communications campaigns and manage marketing material or other business unit collaterals.

Remain current on the latest satellite competitive landscape, customer demand, and market trends to support sales forecasting, pricing strategy, business plans and product development roadmap.

Monitor, research, and analyze competitive landscape to create competitive advantages.

Develop and manage bid and proposal budgets to maximize the efficiency of BD resources.

Provide guidance and support to capture teams on technical, pricing, and contractual issues.

Lead writing efforts for various portions of responses to BAAs, RFIs, and RFPs.Ensure development and delivery of high-quality bid products and artifacts.

Support travel to trade shows, conferences and business sites, as needed.

YOU’LL BRING THESE

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline.
12+ years of experience in business development, program management, or systems engineering within the aerospace sector.

Experience working or selling in the national security space sector.

Active TS/SCI security clearance.

Experience working SCI and SAP/SAR programs.

Ability to support frequent domestic and international travel (up to 50%) to meet with clients, attend industry events, and support capture efforts.

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