Space Hardware Intern — Mechanical Engineering (Spring 2027)

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation stipend

Employee stock purchase program

Comprehensive health benefits

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA seeks a college intern to work closely with mentors and engineers, applying aerospace and mechanical engineering concepts to real challenges.

You will join a fast-paced team, contribute to development projects, and participate in regular 1:1s with mentors to track progress and learning. On-site at our California facility, this 12-week program emphasizes hands-on growth.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s or PhD program in an Aerospace, Aeronautical, Astronautical, or Mechanical engineering discipline with at least one semester remaining post internship.
• GPA of 3.0 or above is required.
• 3+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, lab, or personal/project work) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support mentors and engineers to apply engineering concepts to real challenges.
• Work in small, high-performing teams to deliver project results.
• Attend frequent 1:1s with mentors to track progress and growth.
• Participate in tech talks and network with interns and staff.

Skills

Applied engineering

Team collaboration

Ambiguity tolerance

Education

Bachelor/Master/PhD in Aerospace, Mechanical engineering

GPA 3.0 or above

3+ months of applied engineering experience

Tools

NX

Teamcenter

ANSYS

Simcenter3D

FEMAP/NASTRAN

Job description

Rocket Lab USA seeks a college intern to work closely with mentors and engineers, applying aerospace and mechanical engineering concepts to real challenges.

You will join a fast-paced team, contribute to development projects, and participate in regular 1:1s with mentors to track progress and learning. On-site at our California facility, this 12-week program emphasizes hands-on growth.