ABOUT ROCKET LAB
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.
Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.
While other companies talk about it, we do it!
ABOUT PEOPLE & CULTURE AT ROCKET LAB:
Rocket Lab’s People & Culture team is responsible for looking after our most valuable asset: our people. Across our global teams, the People & Culture team supports our people and departments across recruitment, new staff orientation, compensation, training and development. They make sure our growing and diverse global team is supported and capable of delivering our projects and customer’s missions, and they’re responsible for supporting their development, nurturing their skills and talent, and retaining the world-class people already on our team.
Are you a sharp, solutions‑focused HR professional who thrives in a fast‑paced environment where no two days look the same? We’re looking for an People & Culture Advisor who can confidently own ER processes end‑to‑end, partner with leaders, and keep our people experience running smoothly across the entire employee lifecycle.
This is a dynamic, ever-evolving environment, you’ll often need to adapt quickly, navigate ambiguity, and think outside the box. If you enjoy variety and solving problems creatively, this role will suit you perfectly.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:
- Lead ER matters from start to finish with confidence, sound judgement and strong best‑practice understanding, even when navigating complex & ambiguous scenarios
- Provide first‑line generalist HR advice across hiring, performance, attendance, change management, and offboarding
- Respond to employee queries promptly, professionally, and with absolute confidentiality
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with leaders, employees, and external providers
- Contribute to People & Culture projects
- Support with payroll processing of new starters, variations of employment, terminations and pay run reviews to ensure timely and accurate pay cycles.
- Apply pragmatic solutions in situations where established processes may not exist, using initiative and creativity to get to the right outcome
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:
- 3+ years’ experience in an HR role
- Bachelor’s degree in HR or equivalent qualification
- Genuine ambition to develop and grow in the HR profession
- Strong computer skills, including MS Office (especially Excel), and the ability to quickly learn new applications
- Excellent communication skills
- High attention to detail and accuracy, even at pace
- Ability to juggle multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast‑moving environment
- Organised, proactive, and able to show initiative when procedures are limited
- Calm, steady, and solutions‑focused under pressure
- Full driver licence with the ability to travel independently between sites
People who thrive in this role are adaptable and resourceful, comfortable operating without rigid processes, and able to think on their feet in fast‑moving situations. They bring strong procedural and ER experience, with the ability to justify decisions and assess risk confidently. Coming from dynamic, high‑volume environments, they’re natural problem‑solvers who enjoy tackling bespoke cases and finding practical, people‑focused solutions that balance fairness, compliance, and pragmatism.
If the above sounds like you apply now!
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 [email protected] 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.
Skills Required
- 3+ years' experience in an HR role
- Bachelor's degree in HR or equivalent qualification
- Experience leading employee relations (ER) matters end-to-end
- Experience supporting payroll processing (new starters, variations, terminations, pay run reviews)
- Strong computer skills, including MS Office (especially Excel), and ability to learn new applications quickly
- Excellent communication skills
- High attention to detail and accuracy, even at pace
- Ability to juggle multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-moving environment
- Organised, proactive, and able to show initiative when procedures are limited
- Calm, steady, and solutions-focused under pressure
- Full driver licence with ability to travel independently between sites
Rocket Lab Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Rocket Lab and has not been reviewed or approved by Rocket Lab.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage with multiple plan options are offered, including a company‑sponsored HSA plan option and supportive ancillary benefits. These elements portray comprehensive healthcare support for U.S. roles.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An employee stock purchase program with discounted share access and a look‑back feature, alongside eligibility for equity, is presented as a strong component of total rewards. This structure can meaningfully augment cash pay for those who value long‑term upside.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid vacation, sick time, holidays, and paid parental leave are included. These provisions indicate a complete time‑off offering for a midsize aerospace employer.
Rocket Lab Insights
What We Do
Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, spacecraft components, satellites and other spacecraft and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle and the Photon satellite platform and is developing the Neutron 8-ton payload class launch vehicle. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered 100+ satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft platform has been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a second launch site in Virginia, USA which is expected to become operational in late 2022. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.
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