Senior Accounts Payable Specialist

Rocket Lab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Top-tier medical plans

Paid vacation and holidays

401(k) with company match

Discounts on company merch

Job summary

Rocket Lab's Finance team in Long Beach, CA seeks a Senior Accounts Payable Specialist to handle full AP cycles, three-way matching, and vendor payments onsite. You’ll code invoices, ensure approvals, and enter data in our ERP while addressing discrepancies with Purchasing.

The role supports month-end close and onboarding, with a focus on accurate, timely processing. We require 4+ years in AP, a High School Diploma (Associates preferred), and strong communication and Excel skills.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of accounts payable experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and attention to detail.
• Proficient with MS Office; Excel advanced a plus.

Responsibilities

• Process full-cycle accounts payable and three-way matching.
• Code invoices accurately and obtain department approvals.
• Enter data into ERP system and resolve discrepancies with Purchasing.
• Process employee expenses and maintain AP documents.
• Support month-end close and vendor onboarding processes.
• Handle vendor payments and provide internal customer service.

Skills

High-volume AP

MS Office

Communication

Education

High School Diploma

Associates Degree in Accounting

Tools

SAP

Oracle

LN

Job description

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity’s reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.

FINANCE

Rocket Lab’s Finance team is responsible for all financial transactions for the company, operating as a well‑to‑oiled machine to maximize the value of our work. Our Finance team are made up of planners, analysts and accountants, and manage our policies, compliance, and reporting. They’re the ones who keep our financial operations in check, always thinking ahead and taking care to meet all of our financial, business, and government obligations. They’re attentive, diligent, and meticulous, and are mission‑critical to Rocket Lab.

SENIOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE SPECIALIST

Based onsite at Rocket Lab’s Global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Accounts Payable Specialist will be responsible for assisting in processing payroll for employees and processing payments for vendors.

What You’ll Get To Do

• Full-cycle of Accounts Payable functions, three-way matching.
• Ensure proper coding of invoices, departmental approval and accurate entry into ERP system
• Work across functionally to solve any discrepancies that may arise
• Review and process employees’ expense reports into ERP system
• Maintain GRNI (good receipt, no invoice) report to ensure invoices are cleared in a timely manner. Resolve any unmatched items with Purchasing & Receiving
• Assist with vendor onboarding process
• Assist with month end close process
• Data entry of invoices
• Vendor payments
• Problem resolution
• Maintaining organization of all AP documents
• Support Transactional Accounting Manager
• Provide excellent customer service internally and externally
• Support Accounting Operations Manager
• Ad-hoc project

You’ll Bring These Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience and a High School Diploma
• Experience with high volume and a fast‑paced environment
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite

These Qualifications Would Be Nice To Have

• Associates Degree in Accounting
• Experience with ERP Systems SAP, Oracle, LN
• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written
• Detail oriented, logical, and methodological approach to problem‑solving
• PC/MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) proficient

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.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry‑leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top‑tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company contribution), dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts. Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

Hourly Pay Range (CA Only): $26 USD - $33 USD

What To Expect

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that’s not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out‑think, out‑work, and out‑pace. We pride ourselves on having each other’s backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.

Important Information

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

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, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:

For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.