Additive Manufacturing Intern

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, and 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.

Role Overview

As an Additive Manufacturing Intern based at Rocket Lab's site in Long Beach, California, you will gain an understanding of rocketry and the impact of additive manufacturing on modern rocket engines. The Additive Manufacturing department provides metal additively manufactured hardware for Electron, Neutron, and Space Systems programs.

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.

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.

Required

• 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 post internship.
• GPA of 3.0 or above.
• 3+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable).

Nice to Have

• GPA of 3.5 or above.
• 6+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable).
• Exposure to metal additive manufacturing.
• Strong CAD/CAM modeling skills in Siemens NX, Solidworks, and other CAD/CAM software.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) experience.
• Experience with 3D printing.

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.

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package. 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. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company's discretion.