Business Development Manager, Star Trackers & Reaction Wheels

Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is a vertically integrated provider of small launch services, satellites, and spacecraft components. Our mission is to open access to space to improve life on Earth. Our team is over 1,500 people strong and we’re adding to it every week. Collaboration is at our core – every idea is heard, and everyone makes a difference. Teams are nimble, decisions are made quickly, and we are action oriented.
Life at Rocket Lab
SPACE SYSTEMS
This is a rare opportunity to play a key role in Rocket Lab’s evolution into an end-to-end space company that delivers launch, spacecraft, and on-orbit operations. The Space Systems Division is shaping Rocket Lab’s future with Photon, our brand of high-performance satellites, enabling innovative missions in low Earth orbit and beyond including missions for NASA to LEO, the Moon, and Mars and commercial customers, including leading the design and manufacture of 17 high-power telecommunication spacecraft buses for Globalstar.
Rocket Lab is also growing our spacecraft components business, anchored on the acquisition of Sinclair Interplanetary manufacturing reaction wheels and star trackers in Toronto, SolAero Technologies manufacturing solar power and primary structure solutions in Albuquerque, Planetary Systems Corporation manufacturing launch separation systems in Silver Spring, and Advanced Solutions, Inc., provider of flight and ground software as a service in Denver. We are also an exclusive manufacturing partner for advanced radio technology licensed from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Our components business is key to vertically integrating our spacecraft solutions and enabling constellations for customers.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, STAR TRACKERS & REACTION WHEELS
Based out of Rocket Lab's office in Toronto as part of the Sinclair Interplanetary acquisition, the Business Development Manager, Star Trackers & Reaction Wheels is responsible for managing all business development activities for our star trackers and reaction wheels. You will also support senior leadership and the Business Development organization, with deliverables required for our Board of Directors and investors.
What You’ll Get To Do

• Identify and obtain RFPs from aerospace/satellite primes and other satellite integrators for new and continuing space mission and program opportunities
• Create new business opportunities and relationships by presenting Rocket Lab’s capabilities/experience to provide star trackers and reaction wheels
• Lead Rocket Lab's attitude determination and control systems business development, generating and executing sales of strategically aligned star trackers and reaction wheels to meet and exceed sales metrics for the Space Systems division
• Responsible for forecasting pipeline (non-backlog) element of revenue
• Develop strong relationships across all levels of the business to ensure alignment, efficiency, and collaboration, including coordinating with stakeholders at Sinclair Interplanetary by Rocket Lab
• Represent Sinclair Interplanetary by Rocket Lab at industry conferences and customer meetings
• Collaborate with the Communications & Marketing team in creating product collateral, marketing material, and strategic communications; and the Engineering and Production/Operations teams to ensure adequate plans for low lead-time delivery of star trackers and reaction wheels
• Develop and implement sales plans, systems, policies, initiatives, and procedures to manage the sales pipeline and close deals
• Develop and present bid/no-bid strategies, and manage proposal planning, preparation, and submission
• Lead and/or participate in proposal activities, including generation of technical, management, cost, schedule, and proposal content for new business
• Travel as needed for business opportunities
• Lead research on the latest star trackers and reaction wheels competitive landscape and market, lead forecasting of sales, determine pricing, and provide support for business development, strategy, and the space systems product and services roadmap
• Advise on, and help implement, technology licensing deals and strategic acquisitions for new and strategically aligned space systems elements
• Grow existing business opportunities and nurture relationships with existing customers to develop additional business opportunities
• Other duties as assigned or required

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS (Note: you must meet every qualification in order to be considered):

• 7+ years of experience working with contractors in the aerospace or defense industry
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or other technical discipline
• Experience with star trackers and reaction wheels development, manufacturing, and/or sales
• Experience in the aerospace/satellite sector

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have

• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills
• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or related engineering field; or business
• Experience leading, managing, and growing geographically disperse teams on fast-paced projects
• Experience using customer relationship management (CRM) software
• 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
• Knowledge of typical satellite hardware product customer requirements and associated technical solutions, needs, schedules, and costs
• Specialization in government business development, with deep experience selling to national security and civil space customers
• Proficient in all Microsoft Suite products, including MS Project
• Demonstrable record of success in business development, sales, program management and/or engineering of satellite component products
• Experience with proposal development, writing, and best practice capture processes, and ability to independently complete cost and technical proposals
• Extensive awareness of current/ongoing commercial and government satellite programs across the full spectrum of mission classes
• Understanding of satellite hardware products companies and working in a hardware production environment for space applications
• Experience and/or deep understanding of engineering design or analysis, and satellite guidance, navigation, and control is preferred
• Must be personable and able to interface well with customers, and present to large groups

Additional Requirements

• Ability to obtain security clearance if necessary
• Frequent domestic and international travel is required
• Availability outside of normal business hours and/or weekends as needed

Important Information
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen as defined by ITAR (22 CFR

• 120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations fromthe U.S Department of State.

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 Biow at
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