Director - Business Development

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB 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. SPACE SYSTEMS At Rocket Lab, we’re not just launching rockets — we're building the future of space. Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft, precision payloads to the components and subsystems that allow them to thrive in space, like solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team has enabled more than 1,700 missions, ranging from interplanetary exploration, in-space manufacturing to national security and defense initiatives. The team has built spacecraft, payloads, and components for missions to the Moon and Mars, working with partners including NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force. Whether it’s a single high-performance spacecraft, constellation, or the vertically integrated components that help them get to space — our world class Space Systems team is empowering some of the boldest and most ambitious space missions.   DIRECTOR - BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, SPACE SYSTEMS Based in Munich, Germany , as the Director - Business Development , you will drive Rocket Lab’s growth in the European satellite market, with a primary focus on Germany and strategic opportunities across Europe. You will work with a range of customers, including government, defense, civil space, commercial, and prime contractor organizations, with a particular focus on national security and sovereign European space capabilities. 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 defense, national security, civil space, and commercial applications across Germany and Europe Develop and execute capture strategies for securing large defense, civil space, and government contracts, including opportunities with German and European government agencies, defense organizations, space institutions, and prime contractors Engage with key customer stakeholders, government officials, policymakers, and industry leaders to build and maintain long-term relationships, ensuring Rocket Lab’s solutions align with their evolving mission requirements and strategic priorities Develop and maintain relationships across the German and European space and defense ecosystem, including government organizations, prime contractors, industry partners, and relevant European institutions Collaborate closely with Government Affairs and cross-functional teams to support market expansion, customer engagement, and pursuit of government-funded programs Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prepare and deliver compelling proposals that meet customer requirements and win new business Monitor German and European industry trends, government priorities, procurement initiatives, policy developments, 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 opportunities Create 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 Identify and pursue opportunities associated with European sovereign space and defense capabilities, dual-use technologies, and evolving European procurement priorities 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 across Business Development, Government Affairs, Engineering, Program Management, and Operations Represent Rocket Lab at industry conferences, government forums, industry associations, and customer meetings across Germany and Europe Build awareness of relevant European government programs and procurement pathways, including opportunities involving ESA, the European Union, EUSPA, the European Defense Agency, DLR, and German defense and space organizations Support Rocket Lab’s positioning within the evolving European space and defense landscape, including launch sovereignty, European sovereign capability, dual-use technology, and defense modernization priorities Develop an understanding of relevant export control and regulatory considerations affecting Rocket Lab’s ability to pursue European opportunities, including ITAR/EAR and applicable German and European requirements Travel as needed for business opportunities, customer meetings, industry events, and capture activities Other duties as assigned or required 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, space, defense, or related technology sector In-depth knowledge of government acquisition processes, government contracting, and the national security landscape within Germany and/or Europe Proven track record of securing large (>$20M) contracts and managing strategic relationships within the aerospace, space, or defense industry Demonstrated experience building and managing relationships with senior government officials, defense organizations, policymakers, prime contractors, and other public- and private-sector stakeholders Professional fluency in German and English Strong understanding of German and European defense priorities, civil space programs, government procurement processes, and the broader European space and defense ecosystem Ability to support frequent domestic and international travel (up to 50%) to meet with clients, attend industry events, and support capture efforts Ability to obtain and maintain any required German or European security clearance, if applicable to assigned programs THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or related engineering field; or business Specialization in German or European government business development, with deep experience selling to German or European national security, defense, civil space, or government customers Demonstrable record of success in business development, sales, program management and/or engineering of satellite systems, payloads, or platforms Extensive awareness of current and ongoing German and European government national security, defense, civil space, and satellite programs Experience working with or within organizations such as DLR, Bundeswehr, BAAINBw, German federal government entities, ESA, EUSPA, the European Defense Agency, EU defense bodies, NATO, or other European space and defense institutions Experience pursuing European government-funded programs and navigating German or EU defense and space procurement pathways Familiarity with European sovereign space and defense initiatives, including the European Defense Fund (EDF), European Defense Industry Program (EDIP), EU Space Program initiatives, and related European defense modernization priorities Familiarity with NATO space and defense structures and European security and resilience priorities Understanding of export control regimes and regulatory considerations relevant to European business development, including ITAR/EAR and German/EU requirements Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills in both German and English 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 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. Important information: 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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com. 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 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.