Systems Engineering Intern

JobSpace; Auckland; On-site; NZD 28,000 - 44,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship from engineers

Exposure to space systems

Opportunity to work on reusable launch

Professional development

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Rocket Lab in Auckland is seeking a Systems Engineering Intern to gain hands-on experience on Neutron development, working with engineers across disciplines.“

You will be mentored, document requirements, support verification, and contribute to integration and testing of spaceflight systems. This internship offers exposure to cutting-edge rocket and spacecraft technologies and a collaborative, innovative team environment.

Qualifications

• Final year of Engineering degree (Bachelors, Masters, or PhD)
• Minimum B+ GPA or higher
• 3+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, lab, or project)
• Ability to self-manage in a fast-paced environment
• Proven communication and collaboration with engineers

Responsibilities

• Work with mentor and engineers to apply knowledge and grow technical skills
• Support creation and documentation of system architectures and use cases
• Assist in eliciting requirements and organizing them in the Requirements Tool
• Ensure design meets standards, safety, and stakeholder expectations
• Document and manage system interfaces between stakeholder groups
• Maintain and organize project and system requirements
• Assess and communicate system status relative to performance
• Support verification and ensure alignment with verification strategy
• Perform verification tests and document results
• Manage technical data and ensure data quality for cross-team exchange
• Identify key system interactions and drive informed decisions
• Document breakdown of project into systems and subsystems
• Contribute to integration activities to bring the final product together

Skills

Final year engineering student

Strong communication

Self-management in fast-paced env

Aerospace passion

Education

Engineering degree (Bachelors/Masters/PhD)

Job description

Jora New Zealand will close on 9th September 2026. Thank you for being with us, we are cheering you on as you continue your career journey.

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. The rockets and satellites we build and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Rocket Lab seeks a Systems Engineering Intern to help develop Neutron: Rocket Lab's medium lift, reusable launch vehicle capable of human spaceflight.

Launch your career with one of the most exciting internship opportunities in New Zealand! We are looking for an engineering student in their final year of study interested in gaining industry experience in Systems Engineering.

Systems Engineers are great communicators who excel in interdisciplinary collaboration: working across teams to structure and execute design trades; define clear, verifiable requirements; and support the delivery of products that exceed these requirements through test, integration, and launch.

This is an opportunity to work on real space technology projects and contribute to missions that are literally reaching for the stars.

Responsibilities

• Working closely with your mentor and other employees within the department to apply your knowledge and grow your skills both technically and professionally
• Supporting the creation, management and documentation of system architectures and their use cases
• Supporting multi-disciplinary design teams in the elicitation of requirements and their organization in the Requirements Tool environment
• Working with all stakeholders to ensure the design as expressed through requirements is compliant with applicable standards, achieves the appropriate level of safety, and matches the internal and external expectations of its stakeholders
• Assist in documenting and managing system interfaces between stakeholder groups involved in the Neutron project
• Support the maintenance and organisation of the project and systems requirements, ensuring they are up-to-date and well-documented
• Assess and communicate system status relative to required performance
• Uphold the verification process across design teams, ensuring consistency with the Neutron verification strategy
• Perform verification tests as needed to support Neutron development, documenting results in line with project processes
• Support the management of technical data, ensuring quality and clarity for data exchanged between teams and published externally
• Contribute to identifying key system interactions, managing stakeholder input, and driving towards informed decisions
• Where required, document the breakdown of the project into logical systems and subsystems
• Contribute to integration activity to bring together the final product

Requirements

• Be in your final year of study in an Engineering degree (Bachelors, Masters, PhD)
• Be in good academic standing with a minimum B+ Grade point average or higher
• Have 3+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable)
• Be capable of being self-managed and committed to working in a fast-paced environment
• Have proven communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships with colleagues and engineering professionalsAbility to work with a multi-disciplinary team
• Be highly organized. See the bigger picture but also pay attention to the detail
• Passion for aerospace, space technology, and innovation
• Hands-on experience working on real aerospace and space technology projects

Benefits

• Mentorship from world-class engineers and industry professionals
• Exposure to cutting-edge rocket and spacecraft systems
• Opportunity to work on a reusable launch vehicle capable of human spaceflight
• Professional development opportunities in the space industry
• Collaborative and innovative work environment
• Opportunity to contribute to missions that make a difference
• Potential pathway to future career opportunities at Rocket Lab

Application Deadline: Friday, 28th August 2026