Turbomachinery Intern Summer 2027

Rocket Lab Corporation; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Stock Purchase Program

Medical plans (HMO/PPO) with HSA

Dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and holidays

401(k) with company match

Relocation stipend potential

Onsite amenities and snacks

Job summary

Rocket Lab Corporation in Long Beach, CA, is seeking a Turbomachinery Intern to support turbopump design, CAD and drawing updates, data review and analysis activities as part of the propulsion team.

The role emphasizes hands-on development, mentorship, and collaboration in a fast-paced environment with opportunities to learn and contribute across projects.

Qualifications

• 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, with 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 is applicable).

Responsibilities

• Apply knowledge and grow skills technically and professionally under mentorship.
• Participate in a fast-paced group to apply engineering concepts and solve real challenges.
• Attend frequent 1:1s with mentors and supervisors to facilitate success and learning.
• Engage in technical talks and network with interns and employees.

Skills

Lead development projects

Collaborate across teams

Ambiguity tolerance

Analytical thinking

Education

Aerospace engineering

Aeronautical engineering

Astronautical engineering

Thermal engineering

Mechanical engineering

Physics

Tools

Solidworks

Catia

NX

ANSYS

MATLAB

Python

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 aTurbomachineryIntern based at Rocket Lab’s site in Long Beach, California, you will have the opportunitytoparticipatein new development and maturing the design of turbopump assembly supporting CAD and drawing updates, data review, and analysis activities.The Turbopump teamis an integral part of the propulsion teamand 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 inaerospaceengineering,aeronautical engineering, astronautical engineering, thermal engineering, mechanicalengineeringorphysicsdisciplineandhave 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, orSolidworks

Proficient knowledge ofheat transfer,fluid mechanics, and turbomachinery

Aerodynamics and/or compressible flow experience

Hands-on workexperiencewith hardware

Basic understanding ofDesign for Manufacturing(DFM)

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 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 at Rocket Lab.

• 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
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match

• subsidized EV charging
• onsite fitness centers (where available)
• discounted gym memberships
• complimentary snacks and beverages
• 50% employee discount on our popular merch store
• 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.

Hourly Pay Range (CA Only)

$28 - $28 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.

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.

Form CC-305 Page 1 of 1 OMB Control Number 1250-0005 Expires 07/31/2029

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp .

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your "major life activities." If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
• Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
• Blind or low vision
• Cancer (past or present)
• Cardiovascular or heart disease
• Celiac disease
• Cerebral palsy
• Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
• Diabetes
• Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
• Intellectual or developmental disability
• Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
• Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
• Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
• Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
• Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
• Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
• Short stature (dwarfism)
• Traumatic brain injury

Disability Status Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.