Payroll Accountant

Rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 weeks paid vacation

5 days sick leave

11 paid holidays

401(k) retirement plan with company match

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Long Beach, California is seeking a Payroll Accountant responsible for managing payroll records and supporting financial operations. This role involves processing payroll, reconciling data, and collaborating with multiple departments. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of payroll experience and is proficient in Excel.

The position offers a competitive salary range of $75,000 to $95,000, along with a benefits package that includes health insurance, paid vacation, and a 401(k) plan.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of payroll accounting experience
• Proficient in Excel and data analysis
• Experience with payroll and reconciliation

Responsibilities

• Review and process payroll bi-weekly and semi-monthly
• Validate and reconcile payroll data for accuracy
• Process new hires, terminations, and rate changes
• Assist with employee contributions for various accounts
• Reconcile discrepancies in payroll and tax accounts
• Support month-end close activities

Skills

Excel proficiency

Data analysis

Payroll reconciliation

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Tools

Infor LN

Oracle

JDE

SAP

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

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

PAYROLL ACCOUNTANT

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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 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.

GOOD TO HAVE QUALIFICATIONS

• 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.

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION

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.

US OFFICE CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

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.

NEW ZEALAND OFFICE CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

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.

EEO STATEMENT

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 [e-mail].