Rocket Lab Internships
Launch your career
As a global company, each Rocket Lab site has its own unique internship offerings, but each position is designed to provide students with real-world experience and an opportunity to impact real programs within the space industry. All of our internships are paid, and over 80% of internships result in employment with Rocket Lab. All current available internships are posted as jobs on our careers page.
Rocket Lab USA
Which departments offer internships?
Space Systems, Manufacturing, Avionics, Engineering.
Who can apply?
Most interns are college juniors or seniors in relevant degree programs, depending on the role.
When’s the next intake?
October 2022.
How long for?
12 weeks.
What do you need?
Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Person.
What do you get?
All interns get to participate in teambuilding activities and receive mentoring and career advice, while contributing to meaningful projects and missions.
Our Long Beach facility supports internships for fellows in the following fellowships:
- Brooke Owens Fellowship Program
Rocket Lab is a host institution for the Brooke Owens Fellowship, an organisation that provides paid internships and executive mentorship for exceptional undergraduate women and gender-minority students in aerospace. - Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program
Rocket Lab is a host institution for the Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program, a highly selective internship and mentorship program that provides internship opportunities to college juniors, seniors, and graduate students passionate about commercial spaceflight.
Which departments offer internships?
Engineering, finance, IT, Marketing, and Business.
Who can apply?
All Undergrad and graduate level students from University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, and New Mexico Tech.
When’s the next intake?
Opens October 2022 and selection continues to April 2023.
How long for?
May — August.
What do you need?
- Must be currently enrolled at or have recently graduated from an accredited four-year university or college
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Desire to learn and step outside your comfort zone
- Intermediate skill level using Windows Operations Systems and Microsoft Office
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Person
What do you get?
One-on-one and group mentoring, career advice and professional development, social events, community events, and summer projects. In past years, interns have had the opportunities to play a direct role on some of the world’s most important space missions including the Mars 2020 Helicopter, DART, PSYCHE, and NASA’s Power and Propulsion Element for the lunar gateway!
Which departments offer internships?
Flight Software, GN&C, and Ground Software.
Who can apply?
Incoming senior or graduate students in Aerospace, Physics, or CompSci fields from either the University of Colorado or the University of Texas.
When’s the next intake?
November 2022.
How long for?
May — August (9 weeks).
What do you need?
- Flight Software: C++
- Ground Software: Python, Web/li>
- GNC: Matlab/li>
- Passion and interest in space and software languages
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Person
What do you get?
Mentoring, intern team building events, and an opportunity to work on the cutting-edge software technologies for space!
Previous interns have worked operations helping generate telemetry through STK that was used for pre-launch analysis of a two-satellite mission; optimized build scripts to simplify process to build MAX for any processor and OS; worked with customer to predict the ADCS performance of their satellites through SOLIS simulations; developed an attitude controller for satellites with failed reaction wheels; worked on reformatting and rebranding the company website and MAX portal; developed the artificial intelligence for vision navigation system.
Rocket Lab Canada
Which departments offer internships?
Engineering.
Who can apply?
Any Engineering students in the Toronto area.
When’s the next intake?
September 2022.
How long for?
4, 8, 12 or 16 months.
What do you need?
- Prior work experience or major project experience in the field of engineering is preferred
- Ideal for outgoing students keen to be involved in any and all aspects of spacecraft component design and production
- Must be entitled to live and work in Canada
What do you get?
Mentoring and career advice, and to be part of a tight-knit team with lots of responsibility! All interns at Rocket Lab Toronto contribute directly to satellite components that will one day fly in space. A hands-on engineering experience that is hard to match.
Rocket Lab New Zealand
Which departments offer internships?
Engineering (Mechanical, Software, Electronic, Computer Science), Science (Physics).
Who can apply?
Any 2nd-4th Year Engineering students enrolled at University of Auckland or University of Canterbury.
When’s the next intake?
November 2022.
How long for?
3 months.
What do you need?
- Strong academic record with evidence of extra-curricular community involvement, and a demonstrated interest in aerospace
- Ideal for driven, motivated individuals with a positive attitude, great work ethic, and a passion for space technologies
- Preference will be given to women, gender minorities, and Māori/Pasifika students
- Applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or a citizen of one of the 35 favourable ITAR countries. Unfortunately due to ITAR security requirements we cannot hire citizens of countries not on this list
What do you get?
Mentoring and career advice, all interns get to participate in teambuilding activities like laser tag, check ins from P&C team to help with internship. Interns get to work on real teams doing real work to put real things into space!