R

Rocket Lab Corporation

Builds rockets, satellites and space components

Director Business Development

Business Development & PartnershipsPosted on Nov 12
Full-timeMunich, GermanyNo salary listed

About the Job

Requirements

  • A bachelor's degree in engineering or another technical discipline is required.
  • At least 12 years of experience in business development, program management, or systems engineering within the aerospace, space, defense, or related technology sector is required.
  • In-depth knowledge of government acquisition processes, government contracting, and the national security landscape within Germany and/or Europe is required.
  • A proven track record of securing large contracts exceeding $20 million and managing strategic relationships within the aerospace, space, or defense industry is required.
  • Experience building and managing relationships with senior government officials, defense organizations, policymakers, prime contractors, and other public- and private-sector stakeholders is required.
  • Professional fluency in German and English is required.
  • A strong understanding of German and European defense priorities, civil space programs, government procurement processes, and the broader European space and defense ecosystem is required.
  • The ability to support frequent domestic and international travel, up to 50%, is required.
  • The ability to obtain and maintain any required German or European security clearance, if applicable to assigned programs, is required.

Responsibilities

  • 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 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 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 and experience in providing 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 generating 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 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.
  • Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Desired Qualifications

  • A master’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related engineering field, or a degree in 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.
  • A 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, European Defense Industry Program, 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.
  • Verbal, written, and presentation skills in both German and English.
  • Experience leading, managing, and growing geographically dispersed teams on fast-paced projects.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Microsoft Project.
  • General knowledge of industry-specific technical and quality requirements.
  • Experience using customer relationship management software.
  • Experience with proposal development, writing, and best-practice capture processes, and the ability to independently complete cost and technical proposals.
  • Experience working with subject matter experts to collect and create proposal content and detailed responses.

About the Company

Rocket Lab Corporation

Builds rockets, satellites and space components

Rocket Lab builds and launches rockets, designs satellites and sells spacecraft components for commercial operators, governments and defense customers. Its Electron rocket carries small satellites on dedicated missions, while its Space Systems business supplies complete spacecraft and the hardware and software needed to operate them. Customers pay for launch services, satellite development, component sales and mission support, giving the group business beyond sending its own rockets into space. The company is developing Neutron, a larger reusable rocket intended for constellation deployment and other heavier missions. Rocket Lab's operating business began in 2006 and the group is headquartered in Long Beach, California.

Company size
1,001-5,000
Company stage
IPO
Headquarters
Long Beach, CA
Founded
2006

Recently Posted Jobs

Explore more opportunities at Rocket Lab Corporation

See more jobs