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Business Development Director, Optical Systems – TS/SCI Clearance

Based at Rocket Lab's site in Chantilly, VA, 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:

Responsibilities

• 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 communication 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.

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.

Nice‑to‑Have Qualifications

• Previous experience working for or at the National Reconnaissance Office, Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, and/or Space Rapid Capabilities Office.
• Business development experience, with deep experience selling to US national security (Space Force, NRO, SDA, etc.) and US Civil Space (NASA, NOAA, etc.)
• Experience with design, manufacture, and/or test of optical payload and laser communications.
• Experience with space product lines that align R&D investment, technology/product roadmaps, and future opportunities.
• Highly organized and able to solve problems independently, with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with team members having diverse skillsets and expertise.
• Ability to communicate complex issues in a digestible manner for customers, staff, and executives.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Sales management experience and familiarity with diverse business functions such as sales, marketing, public relations, finance, and operations.
• Extensive awareness of current commercial and government satellite programs.
• Experience working with dynamic, geographically disperse teams on fast‑paced projects.
• Ability to take ownership and action on challenges and step up to manage tough situations while encouraging colleagues and direct reports to do the same.
• Practiced with the use of customer relationship management software.
• Strong understanding of corporate finance and performance management principles.
• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or related engineering field (electrical, mechanical, computer science, etc.).

Salary & Benefits

Base salary is only one part of Rocket Lab’s compensation package for this role. You may be eligible for company stock, or cash incentives, and can purchase discounted stock through Rocket Lab’s Employee Stock Purchase Program. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Base Pay Range (VA Only) $180,000—$250,000 USD

Eligibility & Compliance

For candidates seeking to work in U.S. 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.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.

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 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 ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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.