Senior Manager, Corporate Accounting

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket Lab, a leader in space technology, seeks a Senior Manager, Corporate Accounting to helm month-end close and SEC readiness from the Long Beach campus. You will guide cross‑functional finance activities and optimize workflows with a hands‑on leadership style.

You will build and mentor a growing corporate accounting team, drive process improvements, and partner with Legal and Tax on strategic initiatives to support Rocket Lab’s rapid scale and operational goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive, hands-on accounting experience with demonstrated team leadership and process improvement success.
• Deep proficiency in US GAAP with a proven ability to translate technical accounting principles into efficient, real-world operational workflows.
• CPA license (or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end month-end close across procure-to-pay, fixed assets, equity, leases, and treasury.
• Drive audit and SEC readiness with quarterly reviews and annual external audits.
• Scale accounting systems and processes through ERP enhancements, automation, and internal reporting upgrades.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing corporate accounting team and foster continuous improvement.

Skills

10+ years accounting leadership

US GAAP expertise

Strategic financial partnering

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

SEC reporting tools

Job description

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‑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 MANAGER, CORPORATE ACCOUNTING

Based onsite at Rocket Lab's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA, the Senior Manager, Corporate Accounting will lead our core corporate accounting operations. You’ll own the execution of our month‑end close, drive audit readiness for our SEC filings, and serve as a hands‑on leader for a growing team. We are looking for an agile, highly efficient accounting leader—someone with strong technical fundamentals, a collaborative mindset, and a genuine passion for optimizing workflows. In this role, you’ll serve as a critical business partner across Finance, Legal, and Tax to support Rocket Lab’s rapid operational scale.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO:

• Lead Core Operations: Own and streamline the end-to-end month‑end close process across procure‑to‑pay, fixed assets, equity, leases, and treasury.
• Drive Audit & SEC Readiness: Manage quarterly reviews and annual external audits, ensuring clean execution and seamless alignment with SEC reporting deadlines.
• Scale Systems & Processes: Partner on high‑impact projects, including ERP enhancements, automation, and internal reporting upgrades to keep our accounting infrastructure running efficiently.
• Develop & Mentor: Manage, support, and grow a high‑performing corporate accounting team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and open communication.

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive, hands‑on accounting experience with demonstrated team leadership and process improvement success.
• Deep proficiency in US GAAP with a proven ability to translate technical accounting principles into efficient, real‑world operational workflows.
• CPA license (or equivalent).

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO H