Export Compliance Intern Spring 2027

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO)

401(k) company match

Relocation stipend

EV charging subsidy

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation seeks an Export Compliance Intern to join the Global Trade Compliance team at the Long Beach, California site. You will help develop compliance policies and manuals, supporting activities across import/export licensing for Electron, Neutron and Space Systems programs.

The role emphasizes learning, mentorship, and collaboration within a fast-paced, mission-driven environment. On-site work for a 12-week period starting early 2027 is required.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree program in a Business Administration, Operations Management, Information Security or related disciplines and have at least one semester of school remaining post internship
• GPA of 3.0 or above
• 3+ months of corporate function experience within operations management, business administration, or related discipline

Responsibilities

• Work with your mentor and department to apply knowledge and grow skills
• Join a fast-paced group to apply industry concepts to real challenges
• Attend frequent 1:1s with mentors and supervisors to track progress
• Network with other interns and employees through events

Skills

Team collaboration

Professional communication

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor/Master/PhD student

Tools

Microsoft Suite

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.

As an Export Compliance Intern based at Rocket Lab’s site in Long Beach, California, you will have the opportunity to work with the compliance team on the development of compliance policies and creation of compliance manuals. The Global Trade Compliance Department ensures that Rocket Lab follows international import and export laws; develops trade compliance policies; manages the export and import licensing regimen for the Electron, Neutron and Space Systems program; supports customs processes; conducts internal investigations involving trade compliance matters; and screens for trade restrictions.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO

• As an intern, you will work closely with your mentor and other employees within the department to apply your knowledge and grow your skills both technically and professionally
• Work with a fast-paced group of professionals to apply industry concepts to solve real challenges
• Attend frequent 1:1’s with mentors and supervisors to facilitate success and learning while providing progress updates
• Enjoy tech talks and network with other interns and employees through social and professional events

YOU’LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS

• Ideal candidates will thrive in ambiguity and are excited to work in small, high-performing teams that are focused on continued learning and growth. Success in this position will be measured by the knowledge and experience you bring to the role, your ability to lead development projects without supervision, and your ability to successfully collaborate across teams to deliver results.
• Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s, master's or doctorate degree program in a Business Administration, Operations Management, Information Security or related disciplines and have at least one semester of school remaining post internship
• GPA of 3.0 or above
• 3+ months of corporate function experience within the areas of operations management, business administration, or related discipline

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE

• GPA of 3.5 or above
• 6+ months of corporate function experience within the areas of operations management, business administration, or related discipline
• Proficient in Microsoft Suite (Excel, Powerpoint, Word)
• Familiarity with export control regulations
• Knowledge of global trade compliance practices

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Able to work full-time, on-site for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks beginning January, February or March 2027

COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS

Pay Range CA: $25.00 USD Hourly

You may be eligible for a stipend to subsidize relocation costs

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)

$25 - $25 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.

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.

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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Rocket Lab Corporation’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.