Team Lead - IT Support

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.

Rocket Lab's IT team is responsible for how our global teams access information and run operations across our computer systems, networks, and devices. Our hardworking IT team is a group of flexible problem-solvers working in a fast-paced environment, but who also thrive under the challenge of supporting all our proprietary systems and people, from finance to launch operations.

TEAM LEAD - IT SUPPORT

Based on site at Rocket Lab's location in Auckland, New Zealand, the Team Lead - IT Support will be responsible for the day-to-day coordination and delivery of IT support services, ensuring efficient ticket management, maintaining service quality standards, and providing escalated technical support to the business. This role acts as the operational bridge between frontline support staff and senior management, and collaborates closely with Infrastructure, Launch and Cybersecurity teams to strengthen partnerships with Client Services.

Strong coordination skills, structured processes, and the ability to drive outcomes in dynamic environments while maintaining adaptability are essential for success in this role.

This position is ideal for someone with strong technical and operational skills who has a natural leadership attitude and is seeking a future career in management. You'll get hands-on experience leading a team, managing operations, and making decisions that matter, all while staying close to the technical work to keep your skills sharp.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

As the Team Lead, you will oversee the day-to-day functions of the Service Desk, leading a team of up to 10 IT Support staff. Your primary focus will be on efficiently delivering IT services to facilities across your region. Reporting to the Global Client Services Manager and working closely with fellow Team Leads, you will be the operational heartbeat of our support team: making sure everything runs smoothly, problems get solved quickly, and nothing falls through the cracks.

• Oversee daily IT support ticket queue, ensuring appropriate prioritisation, timely resolution and SLA compliance. Assign and redistribute workload among support team members based on skills, capacity, and urgency.
• Troubleshoot complex problems requiring advanced diagnostic skills and resolve escalated technical issues. Perform hands-on support for critical incidents requiring immediate attention.
• Provide clear directions, instructions, and guidance to the IT support team, aligning them with organisational goals and service levels.
• Lead and execute regional IT projects with a focus on efficiency and effectiveness.
• Eliminate ambiguity by documenting, implementing, and maintaining clear policies, procedures, and processes.
• Participate in problem management activities to prevent recurring issues.
• Establish and maintain robust partnerships with site leadership across the region.
• Ensure compliance with applicable export control regulations across multiple sites, and with IT policies, procedures, and security standards.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the IT department.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of IT professionals.
• Occasional international travel, as well as routine domestic trips, may be required.
• This position may require flexibility to work various shifts, including evenings, weekends, and participation in an on-call rotation as needed.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5+ years of experience in a support or service role with progressive responsibility and a STEM-related bachelor's degree or equivalent experience (9+ years of total experience).
• Some leadership experience, even informal, like mentoring or training others.
• Hands-on experience with ITSM tools like Jira, ServiceNow or similar, and experience in following a framework for service delivery such as ITIL.
• Extensive technical expertise and proficiency in at least 4 of the following areas:
  • Windows and Linux desktop operating systems (including imaging, ongoing maintenance, technical troubleshooting)
  • PC hardware (including the ability to assemble and disassemble desktop PCs)
  • Active Directory and Group Policy
  • At least one scripting language
  • Microsoft 365
  • Networking infrastructure
  • Virtualisation technologies, public / private cloud
• Experience successfully delivering and supporting a medium to complex, end-to-end IT project, overseeing all phases from initial requirements gathering and planning through implementation, testing, stakeholder coordination, and ongoing operational support.
• Familiarity with common AI platforms and the ability to write effective prompts, evaluate AI-generated outputs, and identify opportunities to leverage AI to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

• Certifications in ITIL and HDI-SCM.
• Advanced PowerShell scripting.
• Proficient in utilising Excel for data manipulation, analysis, and visualisation.
• Experience with cloud-based technologies (Azure, O365, AWS).
• Security frameworks and technology: ISO 27001, NIST 800-171, IPSEC, SSL VPNs, firewalls, etc.
• Experience in fast-paced, high-tech industries like semiconductors or aerospace, supporting engineers, labs, manufacturing, and critical operations such as mission control, launch, and test ops.
• Ability to communicate and present complex and technical concepts and ideas to a general audience.

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 [email protected]. 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.