Turbomachinery Intern Summer 2027

Rocket Lab USA; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation stipend

On-site internship support

Job summary

Rocket Lab USA invites highly motivated engineering students for a Turbomachinery Intern position at our Long Beach, CA site. You will contribute to turbopump design, support CAD/drawing updates, and participate in data review and analysis activities within the propulsion team.

Ideal candidates are enrolled in an aerospace/mechanical program, with a GPA of 3.0+, and at least 3 months of applied engineering experience.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a bachelors, masters or doctorate degree program in aerospace engineering, aeronautical engineering, astronautical engineering, thermal engineering, mechanical engineering or physics with at least one semester remaining after the internship.
• GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Minimum 3+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, or project work).

Responsibilities

• Work closely with a mentor and team to apply engineering concepts and develop technical skills.
• Contribute to turbopump design and related CAD/drawing updates, data review, and analysis activities.
• Participate in regular 1:1 meetings for progress updates and mentorship.
• Attend tech talks and network with interns and staff.

Skills

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Learning mindset

Education

Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering degree (Bachelor/Master/PhD)

Tools

CAD/CAM (SolidWorks, Catia, NX)

Job description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

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 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 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