Payroll Accountant

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services and satellite solutions.

Based onsite at Rocket Lab's headquarters in Long Beach, California, the Payroll Accountant is responsible for maintaining the company payroll records, including stock compensation, employee benefits, and related taxes. The role supports the Financial Accounting Manager in the Accounting organization, providing deliverables that enable effective accounting operations.

• Review and process payroll bi‑weekly and semi‑monthly for salaried and hourly employees.
• Validate and reconcile payroll data to ensure accurate payroll payments, reporting, and records.
• Process new hires, terminations, and changes to pay rates.
• Assist with employee contributions for 401(k), HSA, ESOP, stock‑based compensation, and coordinate transmissions with third‑party providers.
• Process manual checks for terminations and adjustments as needed.
• Reconcile and resolve discrepancies in payroll, benefits, and tax accounts.
• Coordinate with HR, IT, Finance, and Accounting departments to gather relevant data.
• Support month‑end close activities such as journal entry compilation, reconciliation, and reporting.

• 5+ years of payroll accounting experience and a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience (9+ years total).
• Proficient in Excel and data analysis.
• Payroll and reconciliation experience.

• Experience with stock or equity‑related compensation.
• Attention to detail and deadline oriented.
• Experience with Infor LN, Oracle, JDE, SAP or similar ERP systems.

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.

Base salary range: $75,000 – $95,000 USD (California only). Additional compensation includes company equity and a comprehensive benefits package: medical (HMO, PPO, 100% company‑sponsored HSA), dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation, 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

To comply with U.S. Government export regulations, Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or otherwise legally authorized to work in the U.S. and must obtain required authorizations from the Department of State and/or Commerce, as applicable.

Applicants must be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by U.S. ITAR; this generally requires citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the EU, or NATO member countries, or no ineligible dual citizenship.

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, leave of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application or interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at