Brand Designer

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a fully integrated space company that provides responsive launch services, end-to-end spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and related capabilities, all focused on expanding access to space. Its rockets and satellites support some of the world’s most ambitious and critical missions, including scientific research, Earth observation, climate-change-related work, national security, and advanced technology demonstrations.

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket in a year and has carried more than 230 satellites into orbit. The company is also developing Neutron, a reusable medium-lift launch vehicle designed for larger constellation deployment. In parallel, the Space Systems business creates and manufactures a broad range of satellites, payloads, and components, including hardware chosen for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars as well as parts used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Marketing & Communications

The Marketing & Communications group serves as Rocket Lab’s narrative and visual storytelling hub. The team simplifies complex ideas, highlights major missions, and brings the beauty of space to life. Working through media relations, social media, video, events, merchandise, and design, the team helps turn highly technical aerospace work into clear and engaging stories for key audiences across the business.

Role Overview

Rocket Lab is seeking a creative and technically strong Graphic / Brand Designer to develop visual content with impact, from mission patches and merchandise to presentations, event graphics, digital campaigns, and website content. This role is based onsite either in Auckland, New Zealand or Long Beach, California, and will work closely with the Brand Design Lead as well as multiple internal teams. The position requires someone who can move quickly, communicate clearly, and drive projects through completion with a high level of independence.

The ideal candidate enjoys taking ownership from idea through delivery, designing across many formats, and collaborating with teams that are deeply invested in bringing their work to life through compelling visuals.

What You’ll Do

• Create polished graphics for digital channels, print collateral, presentations, and event activations.
• Develop visual ideas that make complex aerospace topics easier to understand and more engaging.
• Produce branded creative for product launches, mission campaigns, and company communications.
• Assist with video production, motion design, and social media creative assets.
• Handle several assignments at once while preserving consistency with Rocket Lab’s brand guidelines.
• Work with external suppliers and internal partners to deliver creative projects smoothly, including merchandise, conference booths, websites, and printed materials.
• Help shape and evolve the company’s visual identity as the organization continues to grow.
• Create mission patches, vehicle livery, and other specialized aerospace design assets.
• Keep design systems and asset libraries well organized and easy to use.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of professional experience in graphic design, plus a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience; a total of 9+ years of work experience is noted as an alternative path.
• Strong working ability in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• A portfolio that clearly shows brand design expertise.
• Direct experience creating merchandise and promotional items, including coordinating with vendors through production until final delivery.
• Solid grasp of typography, composition, color theory, and visual hierarchy.

Preferred Experience

• Background in aerospace, space, defense, or deep-tech environments.
• Experience with motion graphics, video editing, or 3D rendering tools is an advantage.
• Familiarity with web design principles and tools such as Figma or Sketch.
• Exposure to 3D tools like Cinema 4D, Blender, or KeyShot.
• Experience creating work for live events, exhibitions, or experiential activations.
• Understanding of photography direction and creative direction for photo shoots.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving setting and adjust quickly when priorities change.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to present creative concepts clearly.
• A collaborative approach, with comfort receiving direct feedback and iterating quickly.
• Passion for storytelling and for turning technical subject matter into compelling visuals.

Additional Information

This position may involve extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer-based work, along with occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

What To Expect

Rocket Lab is driven by the goal of unlocking the potential of space to improve life on Earth. Achieving that mission requires hard work, determination, constant innovation, teamwork, grit, and a strong commitment to doing what others may think is impossible. The company values people who work hard, support one another, leave ego at the door, and take on tasks of every size. Teams operate well under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and focus on delivering results rather than dwelling on obstacles.

Important Information

For candidates seeking to work in U.S. offices only: Employment must comply with U.S. export-control rules, including ITAR. Eligible individuals must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or otherwise lawfully admitted in the U.S. as a refugee or asylee, or must be eligible to obtain the necessary authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce, as applicable.

Rocket Lab states that it provides equal employment opportunities and does not discriminate or harass on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected characteristic. This applies to all employment terms, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave, compensation, and training.

Applicants who need reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process for a U.S. role should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com. This contact is intended only for job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from applying or interviewing. Responses may take up to two business days.

For candidates seeking to work in New Zealand offices only: Background checks will be completed before any offer of employment is made. These checks include nationality verification because the role requires eligibility to access equipment and data regulated under the United States’ International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Under these regulations, candidates may be ineligible if they do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO country, or if they hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.

Additional ITAR-related details are referenced in the source material for further review.