About the Job
Rocket Lab’s Facilities team is responsible for maintenance, operations, and improvements projects across our locations, making sure that the facilities our teams use every day are well looked after and operating as they should.
The Construction Project Director is a senior leadership role responsible for planning, executing, and delivering large‑scale construction and facilities projects that support aerospace manufacturing, test operations, R&D environments, and mission‑critical infrastructure. This leader oversees all phases of capital c...
The Director partners closely with Facilities, Manufacturing, Engineering, EHS, Supply Chain, and Executive Leadership to ensure new facilities, expansions, and infrastructure upgrades align with long‑term operational and production goals.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Planning
Lead the end‑to‑end strategy for construction and facilities development across aerospace manufacturing and test sites.
Translate long‑range operational needs into facility and infrastructure roadmaps.
Develop multi‑year capital plans and ensure alignment with corporate growth objectives.
Provide executive‑level reporting, risk assessments, and recommendations.
Project Management & Execution
Oversee all phases of construction projects, including scoping, budgeting, scheduling, permitting, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
Manage multiple concurrent projects ranging from high‑bay manufacturing facilities to clean rooms, test stands, labs, and specialized aerospace infrastructure.
Ensure strict adherence to aerospace‑grade quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
Capital Budgeting & Financial Oversight
Own capital project budgets, forecasts, and financial controls.
Evaluate ROI, payback, and lifecycle cost impacts for major construction investments.
Lead contractor bidding, negotiation, and contract management.
Cross‑Functional Partnership
Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Test Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure facility designs support production throughput, equipment installation, and future scalability.
Partner with EHS to ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and aerospace‑specific safety requirements.
Coordinate with local jurisdictions, permitting agencies, and regulatory bodies.
Vendor, Contractor & Stakeholder Management
Select, negotiate, and manage general contractors, architects, engineers, and specialty vendors.
Ensure contractor performance meets cost, schedule, and quality expectations.
Lead weekly construction reviews, site walks, and executive updates.
Risk, Compliance & Safety
Identify and mitigate construction risks, schedule delays, cost overruns, and scope changes.
Ensure all construction activities comply with aerospace industry standards, building codes, and environmental regulations.
Champion a culture of safety across all job sites.
Required Skills & Abilities
12+ years of progressive experience in construction project management and a bachelors degree or equivalent years of work experience (16+ years of total work experience).
5+ years leading large‑scale industrial or manufacturing construction projects.
Proven experience delivering capital projects $20M–$200M+.
Strong knowledge of aerospace, defense, or advanced manufacturing environments.
Expertise in contract negotiation, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management.
Work Authorization
Citizenship of AU / NZ / EU / NATO
