Manufacturing Engineering Intern Summer 2027

Rocket Lab Corp.; Middle River, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation stipend

Discounted stock purchase program

Free snacks/drinks onsite

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corp. is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Intern for Summer 2027 at our Middle River, Maryland site.

You will work under mentorship with the Manufacturing Team to support stage manufacturing for Neutron, applying engineering concepts to real-world challenges. Ideal candidates are enrolled in an engineering/physics/math degree, with at least one semester remaining, a GPA of 3.0+, and 3+ months of applied engineering experience.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in an engineering, physics or math discipline and have at least one semester of school remaining post internship
• GPA of 3.0 or above
• 3+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable)
• GPA of 3.5 or above (nice to have)
• 6+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable)
• CAD/CAM experience (nice to have)
• 3D Printing experience (nice to have)
• Knowledge of industrial process (nice to have)
• Exposure to composites materials (nice to have)

Responsibilities

• Apply your knowledge and grow your skills both technically and professionally
• Work with a fast-paced group to apply engineering concepts to real challenges
• Attend frequent 1:1s with mentors and supervisors to facilitate success and learning
• Network with other interns and employees through events

Skills

Applied engineering experience

Ambition to work in small teams

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/physics/math

GPA 3.0 or above

Tools

CAD/CAM

3D Printing

Industrial processes knowledge

Composites materials

Job description

Manufacturing Engineering Intern Summer 2027

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 aManufacturingEngineeringInternbased at Rocket Lab’s site inMiddle River,Maryland, you will have the opportunity tosupport the Manufacturing Team in manufacturing the stages for Neutron.Rocket Lab’s Manufacturing team are the builders and the doers who work with our advanced machinery across our global manufacturing sites to get our satellites, satellite components, and rockets out the door.

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 engineering and industry concepts to solvereal challenges

Attend frequent 1:1’s with mentors and supervisors tofacilitatesuccess 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 degree program in an engineering, physics or math discipline and have at least one semester of school remaining post internship

GPA of 3.0 or above

3+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team projectexperience is applicable)

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE

GPA of 3.5 or above

6+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable)

Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) experience

3D Printing experience

Knowledge of industrial process

Exposure to composites materials

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Able to work full-time, on-site for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks beginning May or June 2027

COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS

Pay RangeMD: $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. Employees may also receive company equity and access to a robust benefits package including: top tier medical HMO, PPO & a 100% company-sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation and 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays per year, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability insurance, life insurance, and access to a 401(k) retirement plan with company match. Other perks include: discounted employee stock purchase program, and free snacks/drinks onsite.

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.

Base Pay Range (MD 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 .

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 [e-mail]. 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.