--- title: 'Business Development Engineer I at Rocket Lab Corporation' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/business-development-engineer-i-rocket-lab-corporation-littleton-m77s4ab1q4t5' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-11' --- # Business Development Engineer I at Rocket Lab Corporation - **Company:** Rocket Lab Corporation - **Location:** Littleton, CO - **Compensation:** $66k–$90k - **Posted:** 2026-11-05 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-11 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/rocketlab/jobs/8196889003 ## 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. ## 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. ## BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER I Based at Rocket Lab’s site in Littleton, CO, the HASTE Business Development & Strategy Engineer is an early-career opportunity to build expertise at the intersection of hypersonic flight testing, national security, and business development. In this role, you’ll support the growth of Rocket Lab’s HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) business and the pursuit of new opportunities supporting the nation’s hypersonic test and evaluation needs. As an integral member of Rocket Lab’s Global Launch Services (GLS) Business Development team, you’ll work alongside experienced professionals and collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Mission Management, Production, and other teams. Reporting directly to the Director of Business Development, HASTE, you’ll develop experience supporting opportunity identification, market and competitive analysis, capture and proposal activities, and the development of mission concepts and business cases. ## WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO: - Draft proposals for new business opportunities in collaboration with Business Development and Engineering teams. - Support the Business Development team in tracking opportunities, analyzing pipeline activity, and forecasting demand for HASTE capabilities. - Coordinate with Engineering to assess mission requirements and develop timely technical responses to inquiries related to HASTE capabilities. - Work cross-functionally with Production and Engineering to establish realistic, achievable NRE timelines and launch dates for future missions. - Collaborate with Communications and Business Development to maintain and improve HASTE marketing materials, data sheets, and user guides. - Partner with Engineering to identify and address technical gaps and support efforts to improve and standardize customer-facing technical documentation. - Use internal tools, including Salesforce, to track leads, opportunities, and proposals and support Business Development reporting and KPI development. - Support Business Development activities related to launch service agreements, technical assistance agreements, and non-disclosure agreements, as well as Jira ticket creation, tracking, and prioritization. - Build and maintain knowledge of the suborbital launch and hypersonic test markets, including competitive capabilities, customer demand, and emerging trends, to support sales forecasting, pricing strategy, business planning, and HASTE product development. ## YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS: - Bachelor’s degree in engineering, or other technical discipline. - Professional or internship experience in an engineering role within the aerospace, defense, or national security industries. - U.S. citizenship is required, due to program requirements. - Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance. THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE: - Experience or academic exposure to the design, manufacturing, integration, or testing of hypersonic systems, payloads, or flight vehicles. - Experience with hypersonic systems, flight testing, or launch vehicles is a plus. - Familiarity with current hypersonic flight test, missile defense, suborbital launch, or related national security markets. - Experience working on fast-paced engineering programs with geographically distributed or cross-functional teams. - Master’s degree in aerospace engineering or a related engineering discipline, such as mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering. - Experience with Python scripting, trajectory generation, or trajectory analysis. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills. - Demonstrated curiosity and enthusiasm for aerospace, hypersonics, and national security applications. - Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently when needed. - Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and colleagues with diverse technical backgrounds and areas of expertise. - Ability to understand complex technical concepts and communicate them clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences. 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. The expected salary range for the position is displayed in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Final agreed upon compensation is based upon individual qualifications and experience. 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 (CO Only) $66,000—$90,000 USD ## 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](https://urldefense.us/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.pmddtc.state.gov_-3Fid-3Dddtc-5Fkb-5Farticle-5Fpage-26sys-5Fid-3D24d528fddbfc930044f9ff621f961987&d=DwMFog&c=N_fLK0KxmM34zjMadXHMx_SQYmXWO3FX0MRVr1hBcn4&r=prjnch9sxomG2ahCicblmM3m-FuPObepspoR1qvWq2I&m=ExC44mBPk2emo4Fr0xPSGZN0UraQ1ZtkDTxwR7iWw5rixcFQb-Wjlv7lJcecLldz&s=0lfm4LyRtFwK220WHBK11DGHWSVvVhQEcfa5G_2Nf18&e=). 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.](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/01/23/2020-00574/international-traffic-in-arms-regulations-us-munitions-list-categories-i-ii-and-iii) ## About Rocket Lab Corporation ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering reliable launch services, spacecraft, satellite components, and on-orbit management [rocketlabcorp.com](https://rocketlabcorp.com/about/about-us/). - **Entity Type**: Public (NASDAQ: RKLB) – went public via SPAC merger in August 2021 [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Lab). - **Headquarters**: Long Beach, California, USA (with additional facilities in New Zealand, Virginia, Maryland, Colorado, Canada, and elsewhere) [rocketlabcorp.com](https://rocketlabcorp.com/about/about-us/). - **Founded**: 2006 - **Founders**: Peter Beck ## Core Business - **Primary industries**: Aerospace, space launch services, satellite manufacturing, and space systems components. - **Target customers**: Commercial satellite operators, civil space agencies (NASA, NOAA), defence customers (U.S. Space Force, NRO), and research institutions. - **Mission**: "Unlocking the potential of space to improve life on Earth" [rocketlabcorp.com](https://rocketlabcorp.com/careers/). ## Products & Services - **Electron**: Small orbital launch vehicle – the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket, with over 75 missions as of January 2026 [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Lab). Also used for the suborbital HASTE hypersonic testbed. - **Neutron**: Reusable medium-lift launch vehicle in development, targeting constellation deployment, interplanetary missions, and human spaceflight [rocketlabcorp.com](https://rocketlabcorp.com/about/about-us/). - **Photon**: Spacecraft platform for Earth orbit, lunar, and interplanetary missions (e.g., NASA CAPSTONE, ESCAPADE to Mars). - **Satellite Components & Subsystems**: Star trackers, reaction wheels, solar panels, electric propulsion, software-defined radios, separation systems, advanced composite structures, and flight/ground software. Rocket Lab’s space systems technology has enabled more than 1,700 missions globally [rocketlabcorp.com](https://rocketlabcorp.com/about/about-us/). ## Market Standing - **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not provided in available sources (NASDAQ-traded; value fluctuates). The SPAC merger in 2021 was valued at approximately $4.1 billion, but current market cap should be verified via financial platforms. - **Key Metric**: Over 2,600 employees globally as of May 2025 [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Lab); more than 700 in New Zealand alone. - **Notable Investors / Partners**: Vector Acquisition Corporation (SPAC partner). Key customers include NASA, U.S. Space Force, NRO, NOAA, BlackSky, and OHB Group. - **Growth Signals**: Development of Neutron; record launch cadence (9 missions in 2022); opening new manufacturing and test facilities (Middle River MD, Stennis MS, Warkworth NZ); successful lunar mission (CAPSTONE) and Mars mission award (ESCAPADE). ## Competitive Advantages - **Vertical integration**: Rocket Lab designs and manufactures its own rockets, spacecraft, satellite components, and operates its own launch sites – reducing cost and lead time. - **High launch frequency & reliability**: Electron is the most frequently launched small rocket globally, with rapid turnaround (as fast as 15 days). - **Reusable rocket technology**: Neutron will bring reusability to the medium-lift class, further lowering per-mission costs. - **Southern Hemisphere launch site**: Only private orbital launch site at Mahia, New Zealand, providing unique orbital inclinations. - **Proven interplanetary capability**: First private company to reach the Moon with CAPSTONE and win a Mars mission (ESCAPADE). ## Strategic Focus - Complete development, test, and first launch of the Neutron rocket from Launch Complex 3 at Wallops Island, Virginia. - Expand spacecraft and component manufacturing to serve the growing defence, civil, and commercial satellite markets. - Pursue interplanetary and human-spaceflight capabilities. - Increase launch cadence and begin recovery and reuse of Electron first stages. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Driven, mission-focused environment with emphasis on “Trust, Innovation, and Excellence”. Values include “We are the best at what we do” and “Together we are unstoppable” [rocketlabcorp.com](https://rocketlabcorp.com/careers/). - **Work & locations**: Multiple offices, factories, test, and launch sites across the U.S., New Zealand, and Canada. Hybrid/remote policy not explicitly stated; most roles appear on-site at specific facilities. - **Projects**: Hands-on work with cutting-edge rockets, interplanetary spacecraft, advanced composites, and space software. - **Perks & benefits**: Not detailed on the careers page, but the company offers a collaborative environment, career growth across many disciplines (engineering, tech, operations, finance, etc.), and the opportunity to contribute to high-impact space missions. - **EEO & accommodations**: Rocket Lab provides reasonable accommodations for job applicants with disabilities [rocketlabcorp.com](https://rocketlabcorp.com/careers/). ## Sources 1. [rocketlabcorp.com – About Us](https://rocketlabcorp.com/about/about-us/) 2. [rocketlabcorp.com – Careers](https://rocketlabcorp.com/careers/) 3. [en.wikipedia.org – Rocket Lab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_Lab) 4. [linkedin.com – Rocket Lab](https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-lab-corp) 5. 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