Senior Director, Business Development - National Security (TS/SCI Clearance)

The role

You will drive growth in the satellite market by focusing on national security opportunities. You will identify and engage potential clients, develop strategic partnerships, and lead efforts to secure contracts.

What you will do

• Lead business development initiatives focused on satellite solutions for defense applications
• Develop and execute capture strategies for securing large defense or civil space contracts
• Engage with key customer stakeholders to build and maintain long-term relationships
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prepare and deliver proposals
• Monitor industry trends and competitor activities
• Grow existing business opportunities and nurture relationships with existing customers
• Create new business opportunities by presenting Rocket Lab capabilities
• Lead and/or participate in proposal activities
• Develop strong relationships across all levels of the business
• Represent Rocket Lab at industry conferences and customer meetings

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline
• 15+ years of experience in business development, program management, or systems engineering within the aerospace sector
• In-depth knowledge of government acquisition processes, government contracting, and the national security landscape
• Proven track record of securing large (>$20M) contracts and managing strategic relationships within the aerospace industry
• Active TS/SCI security clearance
• Ability to support frequent domestic and international travel (up to 50%)

Nice to have

• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or related engineering field; or business
• Specialization in US government business development, with deep experience selling to US national security (Space Force, NRO, SDA, etc.) or US Civil Space (NASA, NOAA, etc.)
• Demonstrable record of success in business development, sales, program management and/or engineering of satellite systems, payloads, or platforms
• Extensive awareness of current/ongoing US Government national security or civil space satellite programs
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Experience leading, managing, and growing geographically dispersed teams on fast-paced projects
• Proficient in all Microsoft Suite products, including MS Project
• General knowledge of industry specific technical requirements and quality requirements
• Experience using customer relationship management (CRM) software
• Experience with proposal development, writing, and best practice capture processes, and ability to independently complete cost and technical proposals

Benefits

• Company stock
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock)
• Top-tier medical plans
• Dental and vision coverage
• Paid vacation and sick time
• 11 paid holidays
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts
• Paid parental leave
• Disability and life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Other discounts and perks

Before you apply

• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of
• For New Zealand offices: background checks will be undertaken
• For New Zealand offices: may be ineligible if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligibl

About the company

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. They move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine.