Brand Designer

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a comprehensive space enterprise offering end-to-end services including launch delivery, spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, and satellite component creation. The company's mission focuses on expanding access to space, enabling groundbreaking scientific research, environmental monitoring, national security efforts, and innovative technological demonstrations.

The Electron launch vehicle ranks as the second most frequently used U.S. rocket annually, having deployed over 230 satellites to date. Meanwhile, Rocket Lab is advancing development of Neutron, a medium-lift, reusable launch rocket designed for larger satellite constellations. Their Space Systems unit is responsible for a wide range of satellites, payloads, and parts such as those supporting NASA lunar and Mars missions and the James Webb Space Telescope.

Marketing & Communications Team

This team is responsible for crafting compelling stories and communication strategies that translate complex aerospace concepts into accessible and appealing narratives. Their work spans media relations, video production, merchandise, event management, and design to ensure Rocket Lab's missions are well represented to diverse audiences.

Position Overview: Brand Designer

We are seeking a skilled and creative Brand Designer located onsite at our Auckland, New Zealand facility or in Long Beach, California. This role focuses on producing impactful graphic designs ranging from mission patches and merchandise to presentations, event graphics, digital campaigns, and website visuals. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with the Lead Brand Designer and cross-functional teams, managing multiple design projects from concept through completion in a fast-moving environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Create visually compelling graphics for digital channels, printed media, corporate presentations, and event activations.
• Develop innovative visual concepts that simplify complex aerospace technologies for broader audiences.
• Design branded materials for product launches, mission campaigns, and corporate communication efforts.
• Assist in the production of video content, motion graphics, and social media visuals.
• Handle multiple projects while ensuring brand consistency across all outputs.
• Coordinate with external suppliers and internal teams to facilitate smooth creative execution, including merchandise, conference displays, websites, and printed collateral.
• Contribute to the ongoing refinement of Rocket Lab's visual identity as the company expands.
• Design unique aerospace-related materials such as mission insignias and rocket paint schemes.
• Maintain and organize asset libraries and design system resources.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years of professional graphic design experience complemented by a bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience (totaling at least 9 years).
• Strong proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite tools including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Portfolio showcasing comprehensive brand design expertise.
• Experience coordinating merchandise development and vendor relationships to deliver final products.
• Solid understanding of typography, layouts, color theory, and visual hierarchy principles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within aerospace, space, defense, or advanced technology sectors.
• Skills in motion graphics, video editing, or 3D rendering software.
• Knowledge of web design platforms such as Figma or Sketch.
• Familiarity with 3D modeling software like Cinema 4D, Blender, or KeyShot.
• Background in designing for events, exhibitions, or immersive brand activations.
• Ability to direct photography and art for photoshoots.
• Efficient in managing priorities in a high-speed work setting.
• Excellent communication skills for presenting creative ideas clearly.
• Openness to collaborative feedback and rapid iteration.
• A passion for storytelling and simplifying technical subjects into engaging visuals.

Additional Information

This role may involve extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, working on computers, and occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes typical in production areas.

Rocket Lab fosters a mission-driven culture emphasizing innovation, resilience, teamwork, and delivering results. Employees are expected to thrive under pressure within tight deadlines, maintain humility, support colleagues, and contribute hands-on across various tasks.

Compliance and Eligibility

For applicants targeting U.S. offices, compliance with U.S. export control laws such as ITAR is mandatory. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylum recipients, or otherwise authorized by relevant U.S. government departments.

For New Zealand-based applicants, security screenings including nationality verification will be conducted to ensure eligibility under ITAR regulations. Candidates must hold citizenship in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the EU, NATO countries, or meet other ITAR requirements. Certain dual citizenship statuses may disqualify.

Rocket Lab is an equal opportunity employer committed to non-discrimination across all employment aspects.