Events & Merchandise Coordinator

Event & Merchandise Coordinator (6‑month contract)

Location:

Long Beach, CA. Based onsite at Rocket Lab’s global headquarters.

Rocket Lab’s Marketing & Communications team needs a coordinator to lead the planning and execution of events, including trade shows, launch viewing parties, VIP tours, team events, and more. The role manages event logistics, construction, travel, vendor relationships, and merchandise coordination. Travel up to 25 % of the time.

• Identify and manage vendors such as tradespeople, exhibit builders, A/V teams, lighting designers, caterers, conference venues, merchandise suppliers, hotels, and other specialists to ensure flawless booth construction and activation.
• Own and maintain all event documents including production schedules, layouts, booth designs, and post‑event debriefs.
• Order and manage swag/merchandise, brochures and brand collateral, ensuring all event assets reflect brand standards and storytelling objectives.
• Partner with internal teams (business development, government operations, talent acquisition, and marketing) to ensure events meet strategic objectives.
• Serve as on‑site lead for event execution, managing real‑time logistics, vendor coordination, build adjustments and troubleshooting under pressure.
• Plan and execute internal events, launch viewing celebrations at HQ and launch sites, and support VIP facility tours.
• Coordinate with merchandise suppliers to ensure the web store is always stocked and place customer orders for mission‑specific merchandise.

• High‑school diploma and ≥ 4 years of event experience with a proven track record of managing events end‑to‑end.
• Experience planning high‑touch, bespoke events and large‑scale trade shows.
• Disciplined approach to event management from strategic planning through flawless execution and post‑event reporting.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Proactive, solutions‑focused mindset with ability to anticipate needs and execute.
• Positive and can‑do attitude.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, automotive or tech industries.
• Creator skills: ability to design, shoot, or edit content independently.
• Strong interest in space and Rocket Lab’s mission.

• Vision: close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, focus.
• Requires use of hands and fingers, operating a computer keyboard and controls, and verbal and written communication.
• Physical ability to commute to buildings.
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes and moderate noise.

U.S. employees:
Must be U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or eligible to obtain required authorizations under ITAR. New Zealand employees:
Must hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO member country, and be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by ITAR.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants 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.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process should contact Giulia Johnson at ; only messages for this purpose will be considered and a response may take up to two business days.