Turbomachinery Intern Spring 2027

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation stipend

Employee stock purchase program

Medical plans (HMO/PPO)

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation & sick time

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation invites a Turbomachinery Intern to join the Long Beach, CA propulsion team, contributing to turbopump design maturation, CAD updates, data reviews, and testing workflows. You will work under mentorship, gain hands-on experience in a fast‑paced environment, and participate in technical talks and networking events.

The role emphasizes collaboration across teams, opportunities to advance knowledge in turbomachinery, heat transfer and fluid mechanics, and on‑site learning

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree program in aerospace, aeronautical, astronautical, thermal, mechanical engineering or physics and have at least one semester remaining after the internship.
• GPA of 3.0 or above.
• 3+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, lab, or projects).

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge to turbopump design development and maturation activities.
• Support CAD updates, drawings, data review and analysis.
• Collaborate with a small high‑performing team and participate in mentoring sessions.

Skills

Aerospace Eng

Mechanical Eng

Thermal Eng

Applied Engineering

Team Collaboration

Education

Engineering Degree (Bachelors/Masters/PhD) in aerospace/ mechanical/ physics

Tools

CAD/CAM

SolidWorks

CATIA

NX

ANSYS

MATLAB

Python

GDT/ GD&T

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 a Turbomachinery Intern based at Rocket Lab’s site in Long Beach, California, you will have the opportunity to participate in new development and maturing the design of turbopump assembly supporting CAD and drawing updates, data review, and analysis activities. The Turbopump team is an integral part of the propulsion team and has full ownership of the design and test lifecycle for the LOX and fuel pump supplying the engines that will lift our latest rocket.

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 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 aerospace engineering, aeronautical engineering, astronautical engineering, thermal engineering, mechanical engineering or physics 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)

Experience with CAD/CAM(Solidworks, Catia, NX)

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing experience

Experience using software such as: ANSYS, MATLAB, Python, or Solidworks

Proficient knowledge of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and turbomachinery

Aerodynamics and/or compressible flow experience

Hands-on work experience with hardware

Basic understanding of Design for Manufacturing(DFM)

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: $28.00 USD Hourly

You may be eligible for a stipend to subsidize relocation costs

Level and base salary will be determined on a case‑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.

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.

Hourly Pay Range (CA Only)

$28 - $28 USD

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 hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential 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 measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (