Buyer I

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is a full-spectrum space company that provides launch services, spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite parts, and related solutions, all aimed at making access to space more open. Its rockets and satellites support major missions around the world, including scientific research, Earth observation, climate-focused work, national security, and advanced technology demonstrations.

The Electron launch vehicle is now one of the most frequently launched U.S. rockets each year and has placed more than 230 satellites into orbit. In parallel, Rocket Lab is developing Neutron, a reusable medium-lift rocket designed for larger constellation deployments. The Space Systems division creates satellites, payloads, and components, including hardware chosen for NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and parts used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Supply Chain Team

The Supply Chain function manages the movement of materials, products, and components across the company. Because many Rocket Lab products are critical to both internal and customer missions, this team plays an important role in program success. The team prepares assembly kits for technicians building Electron rockets, oversees inventory, handles shipping and receiving, manages direct and indirect procurement, and inspects materials to confirm they meet required standards.

Role Summary: Buyer I

This onsite Buyer I position sits within Rocket Lab’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California. The role is responsible for issuing purchase orders and supporting engineering and R&D through production scaling. The buyer helps secure the thousands of parts used in launch vehicles, satellite systems, and related components, while making day-to-day decisions that support cost, quality, and delivery targets.

This specific position focuses on raw material purchasing for Rocket Lab programs, including aluminum, composites, and 3D-printed materials.

Key Duties

• Source materials by assessing supplier capability, pricing, delivery requirements, and historical performance.
• Ensure materials arrive on time and support uninterrupted operations.
• Own the relationship with the suppliers assigned to you.
• Run the RFQ process to obtain competitive offers and secure strong pricing for goods and services.
• Work closely with engineering teams to meet procurement needs and serve as the main contact for R&D order updates.
• Share purchase order status and expected delivery dates with material planners.
• Negotiate supplier terms to satisfy quality, cost, and delivery expectations.
• Maintain accurate purchase order records inside the ERP system.

Required Qualifications

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Management, or another relevant discipline. The role also calls for proven experience in sourcing, supplier onboarding, and pricing negotiations, along with a solid understanding of purchasing processes. Candidates must be willing and able to travel domestically and internationally up to 10% of the time.

Preferred Experience

Experience as a Buyer, Manufacturing Engineer, or in a similar role would be an advantage. Additional strengths include familiarity with MRP systems, prior exposure to aerospace, automotive, or other fast-moving manufacturing environments, and experience in a high-growth setting. The ideal candidate can interpret engineering drawings, has worked with AS9100 and U.S. export controls, and brings strong organization, problem-solving, communication, multitasking, and prioritization skills. Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with multiple deadlines is also desirable.

Additional Physical and Work Requirements

• The job requires specific vision capabilities, including close, distance, peripheral, and depth vision, as well as the ability to focus.
• Work duties regularly involve sitting, using hands and fingers, operating a computer keyboard and controls, and communicating verbally and in writing.
• The employee must be able to physically travel between buildings as needed.
• There may be occasional exposure to dust, fumes, and moderate noise levels.

Working Style

Rocket Lab expects people to bring determination, teamwork, resilience, and a strong drive to solve difficult problems. The environment is hands-on and fast paced, with a strong emphasis on accountability, meeting tough deadlines, and focusing on delivery rather than obstacles.

Important Information

For candidates seeking to work in U.S. offices

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export rules, including ITAR, employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or otherwise eligible to obtain the necessary authorization from the U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce, as applicable.

Rocket Lab is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or harass on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected characteristic. This applies to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave, compensation, and training.

Applicants needing reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process for a U.S. job may contact the named accommodation resource. This contact is intended only for candidates whose disability prevents them from applying or interviewing normally.

For candidates seeking to work in New Zealand offices

Background checks are completed before any employment offer is made. These checks include nationality verification, since this role requires eligibility to access equipment and data covered by ITAR regulations.

Under these rules, you may not be eligible if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO country, or if your dual citizenship or nationality is restricted under the regulations.