What are the responsibilities and job description for the Graphic Designer position at Rocket Lab USA?
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.
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
The Marketing & Communications team is the storytelling engine of Rocket Lab. We tell the big stories, break down the complex concepts, showcase the inspiring missions, and make space beautiful. Through media relations, social media, video production, events, merchandise, and design, the Marketing & Communications team works across the entire business to translate literal rocket science into stories and messages that resonate with key audiences.
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Based onsite at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA we are looking for a creative and technically skilled Graphic / Brand Designer to create visual content with impact - from mission patches to merchandise, presentations to event graphics, and digital campaigns to website content. You'll partner closely with our Brand Design Lead and collaborate with many teams across the business. We move fast and work on everything from technical renders to social campaigns to rocket livery that'll end up in orbit. You need to keep up, communicate clearly, and push work across the finish line without someone holding your hand.
This role is perfect if you want to own projects from concept to execution, get excited by designing across multiple formats, and enjoy working with teams who care deeply about their work and want to see it brought to life through your work.
This role can be based in either Long Beach, California or Auckland, New Zealand.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
- Design high-quality graphics for digital platforms, print materials, presentations, and event activations
- Develop compelling visual concepts that translate complex aerospace technology into accessible, engaging content
- Create branded assets for product launches, mission campaigns, and corporate communications
- Support the production of video content, motion graphics, and social media assets
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining consistency with Rocket Lab's brand standards
- Partner with external vendors and internal stakeholders to ensure seamless execution of creative work (merchandise, conference booths, websites, printed collateral etc)
- Contribute to the evolution of Rocket Lab's visual identity as the company grows
- Design mission patches, vehicle livery, and other unique aerospace applications
- Maintain organized asset libraries and design systems
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- 5 years of professional graphic design experience & a bachelors degree or equivalent years of work experience (9 years of total work experience).
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
- Portfolio demonstrating expertise in brand design
- Experience in developing merchandise and swag, working with vendors through the production process to deliver completed products
- Understanding of typography, layout, color theory, and visual hierarchy
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:
- Experience working in aerospace, space, defense, or deep-tech industries
- Experience with motion graphics, video editing, or 3D rendering software is a plus
- Knowledge of web design principles and tools like Figma or Sketch
- Familiarity with 3D software such as Cinema 4D, Blender, or KeyShot
- Experience designing for live events, exhibitions, or experiential activations
- Understanding of photography direction and art direction for photo shoots
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt quickly to changing priorities
- Strong communication skills and the ability to present creative concepts
- A collaborative mindset with the ability to take direct feedback and iterate quickly
- Passion for storytelling and translating technical subject matter into compelling visuals
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.
Join one of the world's fastest-growing space companies and own a piece of it. In addition to competitive base pay,you'll receive company stock as part of your total compensation package, giving you a direct stake in our success. As we expand to new launch sites, groundbreaking missions, and global markets, your ownership has the opportunity to grow alongside the company.
Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.
Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
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.
Rocket Lab USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment with Rocket Lab USA is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Salary : $90,000