Thermal Engineering Intern Fall 2026

Rocketlab; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 31,822 - 45,323; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical HMO/PPO

Three weeks paid vacation

Onsite gym

Food and drinks

Job summary

Rocketlab is looking for a Thermal Engineering Intern based in Long Beach, California. This role involves working on thermal control for spacecraft components and provides an opportunity to collaborate with a high-performing team.

The ideal candidate will be enrolled in an engineering program with a GPA of 3.0 or above and must be able to commit to a full-time onsite internship for at least 12 weeks. Benefits include a pay range of $28.00 USD hourly, medical coverage, paid vacation, and additional perks.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree program in an engineering, physics, or math discipline.
• GPA of 3.0 or above.
• 3+ months of applied engineering experience.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with your mentor to apply your knowledge and grow your skills.
• Attend frequent 1:1s with mentors and supervisors for support.
• Work with professionals to solve real challenges.

Skills

Ability to work in small, high-performing teams

Engineering and industry concepts application

Collaboration across teams

Education

Enrolled in an engineering, physics, or math program

GPA of 3.0 or above

Tools

CAD/CAM

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

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 the fight against climate change, among other endeavors.

THE ROLE

As a Thermal Engineering Intern based at Rocket Lab’s site in Long Beach, California, you will join a team that handles thermal control for all of the spacecraft and spacecraft components in the Rocket Lab portfolio. This team serves as subject‑matter experts on thermal engineering for the rest of the company and its subsidiaries and will occasionally support thermal teams on the launch services side.

WHAT YOU’LL GET TO DO

• 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 solve real challenges.
• Attend frequent 1:1s 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 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 after the internship.
• GPA of 3.0 or above.
• 3+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, personal or team project experience).
• Able to work full time, on site for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks beginning August or September 2026.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE

• GPA of 3.5 or above.
• 6+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, personal or team project experience).
• Thermal engineering experience.
• Experience using CAD/CAM.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) machining experience.
• Experience using a lathe machine.

COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS

• Pay Range CA: $28.00 USD hourly.
• You may be eligible for a stipend to subsidize relocation costs.
• Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package. Employees may also receive company equity and a robust benefits package including medical HMO, PPO, 100% company‑sponsored medical HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation, 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, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, food and drinks, and other discounts.

WHAT TO EXPECT

We’re on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others deem impossible.

IDENTIFICATION AND SECURITY REQUIREMENTS (REGIONAL)

For candidates seeking to work in U.S. offices only: To comply with 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, or lawfully admitted 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. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [e-mail]. For candidates seeking to work in New Zealand offices only: For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the U.S. ITAR. 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 NATO country, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.