Electrical Engineering Intern

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected and 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 Electrical Engineering Intern at our Pasadena, California site, you will support the team with hardware bring-up, laboratory testing, prototype assembly, embedded firmware validation, data collection and analysis, and troubleshooting of motor control systems.

What You'll Get to Do

• Work closely with your mentor and department colleagues to apply your knowledge and grow your skills both technically and professionally.
• Collaborate with a fast-paced group of professionals to apply engineering and industry concepts to solve real challenges.
• Attend frequent one-on-one meetings 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 You'll Bring

Ideal candidates will thrive in ambiguity and are excited to work in small, high-performing teams focused on continued learning and growth. Success will be measured by the knowledge and experience you bring, your ability to lead development projects without supervision, and your ability to collaborate across teams to deliver results.

• Must be enrolled in a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree program in engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related discipline, with 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 Qualifications

• GPA of 3.5 or above.
• 6+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable).
• Experience with FPGA design and microcontroller design.
• Proficiency performing circuit analyses in SPICE and Excel.
• Familiarity with electronics test equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, signal generators, and soldering irons.

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 Rate: $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, skills, education, and experience. Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package. Our comprehensive benefits include an Employee Stock Purchase Program (15% discount), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with HSA 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) 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 merch store, and other discounts. Eligibility may vary based on employment status; check with your recruiter for details. Benefit programs are subject to change.

What to Expect

We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth. 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 tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and focus on delivering rather than dwelling on challenges.

FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, Rocket Lab employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or Commerce. Learn more about ITAR here.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants 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 law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [email protected]. This resource is solely for job seekers with disabilities preventing them from applying/interviewing. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response 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 employment offers. These checks include nationality checks as it is a requirement to be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by ITAR. Under these regulations, you may be ineligible if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO country, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship. For more information, click here for ITAR Regulations.