Optical Engineering Intern Summer 2027

Rocket Lab Corp.; Tucson (AZ); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation stipend

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corp. is seeking an Optical Engineering Intern to join our Tucson, Arizona team.

You will support the Optical Team with building test setups, running experiments, and analyzing data, blending optical engineering and sciences to push capability boundaries. You’ll work alongside mentors in a fast-paced environment, attend regular check-ins, and participate in tech talks and intern events while advancing your technical and professional skills for a successful career in space systems

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree program in an engineering, physics or math discipline and have at least one semester remaining post internship.
• GPA of 3.0 or above.
• 3+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience) are applicable.

Responsibilities

• Work with your mentor to apply knowledge and grow technical and professional skills.
• Collaborate in a fast-paced group to apply engineering concepts to real challenges.
• Attend frequent 1:1s with mentors and supervisors to facilitate success and learning while providing progress updates.
• Network with other interns and employees through technical talks and events.

Skills

Python

Education

Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in engineering or physics or math

Tools

CAD/CAM

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 anOpticalEngineering Intern based at Rocket Lab’s site inTucson, Arizona, you will have the opportunity to support theOptical Teamwithbuilding test setups, running experiments and analyzing data. This teamfocuses on optical technologies by merging optical engineering and optical sciences skills to create systems that are designed to push the limit of optical capabilities.

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, master's or doctorate 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)

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)

Pythonexperience

Computer-aideddesign andmanufacturing (CAD/CAM) experience

Familiaritywith opticalsystemsor imaging sensors

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

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

COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS

• Pay Rate: $25.00 USD Hourly

You may be eligible for a stipend to subsidize relocation costs

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.