Additive Manufacturing Intern Fall

Overview

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services and building spacecraft, payloads, and satellites for scientific, environmental, national security, and technological missions. The company’s Electron rocket is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually, having delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit. Rocket Lab is developing the Neutron medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle and produces satellite systems that support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

As an Additive Manufacturing Intern based at our Long Beach, California site, you will support the team ensuring production execution, overall equipment efficiency, and continuous improvement of our hardware. The Additive Manufacturing department is responsible for all 3D‑printed hardware for our rocket engines.

• Work closely with a mentor and other department members to apply engineering and industry concepts to solve real challenges.
• Attend frequent one‑on‑one meetings with mentors and supervisors for progress updates and learning.
• Participate in tech talks and network with interns and employees through social and professional events.
• Support the team in production execution, equipment efficiency, and continuous improvement of hardware.

• Enrolled in a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree program in engineering, physics, mathematics or a related discipline with at least one semester remaining after the internship.
• GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Minimum 3 months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal or team project experience).

• GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• 6 months or more of applied engineering experience.
• Strong CAD/CAM modeling skills in Siemens NX, Solid Works or other CAD/CAM software.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) experience.
• Experience with laser powder bed fusion.
• Knowledge of material science.

• Able to work full‑time, on‑site for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks beginning August or September 2026.

• Pay Range CA: $28.00 USD per hour.
• Eligible for a stipend to subsidize relocation costs.
• Other benefits: company equity, medical HMO/PPO + 100% HSA plan option, dental and vision coverage, 3 weeks paid vacation, 5 days sick leave per year, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending and dependent care savings accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, 401(k) with company match, discounted employee stock purchase program, subsidized EV charging stations, onsite gym, meals and drinks.

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 reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at

For US office locations: to conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident or otherwise eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR.

For New Zealand office locations: background checks will be undertaken including nationality checks; eligibility is required for access to equipment and data regulated by U.S. ITAR.