R&D 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, 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 R&D Engineering Intern at our Albuquerque, New Mexico site, you will support the team in developing a process to deposit a phase-change material that can favorably change the temperature of a solar array. The R&D team is responsible for array performance, survivability, and manufacturability, and is qualifying and improving the silicon array effort for constellations and other programs.

What You'll Get to Do

• 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 focused on continued learning and growth. Success is 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.

Required

• Must be enrolled in a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree program in engineering, physics, or math, 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 applicable).

Nice to Have

• GPA of 3.5 or above.
• 6+ months of applied engineering experience.
• Knowledge of laws of thermodynamics.
• Knowledge of latent heat.
• Knowledge of visible and infrared optical properties of materials.

Additional Requirements

• Able to work full-time, on-site for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks beginning January, February, or March 2027.

Compensation and Benefits

• Pay Range: $20.00 USD Hourly.
• You may be eligible for a stipend to subsidize relocation costs.

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 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.