Rocket Lab

Graphic Designer

Rocket Lab$90K — $115K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of professional graphic design experience or 9+ years total work experience
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
  • Portfolio showcasing brand design expertise
  • Experience in developing merchandise and managing production with vendors
  • Solid understanding of typography, layout, color theory, and visual hierarchy

Responsibilities

  • Design high-quality graphics for digital and print
  • Develop visual concepts that make complex technology accessible
  • Create branded assets for product launches and corporate communications
  • Support production of video content and social media assets
  • Manage multiple design projects while ensuring brand consistency
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors for seamless execution
  • Contribute to the evolution of Rocket Lab's visual identity

Benefits

  • Company stock as part of total compensation package
  • Industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount
  • Top-tier medical plans, dental and vision coverage
  • Paid vacation, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays
  • Flexible spending accounts and paid parental leave
  • Disability and life insurance, 401(k) with company match
  • Subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, and employee discounts
Full Job Description
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.

Base Pay Range (CA Only)

$90,000-$115,000 USD

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a private American aerospace manufacturer and small satellite launch service provider. The company was founded in 2006 by New Zealander Peter Beck. Rocket Lab's Electron rocket is designed to launch small payloads of up to 300 kg into low Earth orbit. The company has launched several successful missions and has contracts with NASA and other organizations. Rocket Lab has raised over $200 million in funding and has offices in the United States and New Zealand.
Learn more about Rocket Lab
Size
500 employees
Market Cap
$1.6 billion
Industry
Founded
2006
NASDAQ

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