Senior Director, Business Development - Civil & Commercial

Job description

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.

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.

SENIOR DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT – CIVIL & COMMERCIAL

Based at Rocket Lab's site in Tucson, AZ, as theSenior Director, Business Development , you will drive Rocket Lab’s growth in the satellite market. You will work with a range of customers, but primarily focused on civil and commercial opportunities such as government civil space agencies, research institutions, Earth observation, and technology companies. Your role will involve identifying and engaging with potential clients, developing strategic partnerships, and leading efforts to secure contracts that expand our market share in this rapidly growing sector.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

Lead business development initiatives focused on satellite solutions for civil and commercial applications

Develop and execute capture strategies for securing large commercial or civil space contracts,

Engage with key customer stakeholders to build and maintain long‑term relationships, ensuring Rocket Lab’s solutions align with their evolving needs

Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to prepare and deliver compelling proposals that meet customer requirements and win new business

Monitor industry trends and competitor activities to inform and adapt our business development strategies

Grow existing business opportunities and nurture relationships with existing customers to develop additional business opportunitiesCreate new business opportunities and relationships by presenting Rocket Lab’s capabilities/experience to provide satellite solutions – including bus offerings and complete satellites to meet mission requirements

Lead and/or participate in proposal activities, including generation of technical, management, cost, schedule, and proposal content for new business

Develop strong relationships across all levels of the business to ensure alignment, efficiency, and collaboration, including coordinating with stakeholders

Represent Rocket Lab at industry conferences and customer meetings

Travel as needed for business opportunities

Other duties as assigned or required

YOU’LL BRING THESE 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 commercial acquisition processes, government contracting, and the commercial space landscape

Proven track record of securing large (>$20M) contracts and managing strategic relationships within the aerospace industry

Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

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

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or related engineering field; or business

Specialization in civil and commercial business development

Demonstrable record of success in business development, sales, program management and/or engineering of satellite systems, payloads, or platforms

Extensive awareness of current/ongoing commercial 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

Experience working with subject matter experts to collect and create compelling proposal content and detailed responses

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.

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out‑think, out‑work, and out‑pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here .

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.

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Worksite address

tucson, AZ, 85718, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.