Export Compliance Intern in Long Beach, CA

About Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company that builds rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. The company helps keep the world connected and protected, and extends humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The team moves fast, builds real hardware for meaningful missions, and makes the impossible routine.

The Role

As an Export Compliance Intern at Rocket Lab's Long Beach, California site, you will work with the compliance team on developing compliance policies and creating compliance manuals.

The Global Trade Compliance Department makes sure Rocket Lab follows international import and export laws. The team develops trade compliance policies, manages export and import licensing for the Electron, Neutron, and Space Systems programs, supports customs processes, conducts internal investigations into trade compliance matters, and screens for trade restrictions.

What You'll Do

• Work closely with your mentor and other department members to apply your knowledge and build your technical and professional skills.

• Work with a fast-paced group of professionals to apply industry concepts to real challenges.

• Attend frequent 1:1 meetings with mentors and supervisors to support your success and learning, and share progress updates.

• Attend tech talks and network with other interns and employees at social and professional events.

What You'll Bring

Ideal candidates thrive in ambiguity and enjoy working in small, high-performing teams focused on continued learning and growth. Success in this role 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.

• Enrolled in a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate program in Business Administration, Operations Management, Information Security, or a related discipline, with at least one semester remaining after the internship.

• GPA of 3.0 or above.

• 3+ months of corporate function experience in operations management, business administration, or a related discipline.

Nice to Have

• GPA of 3.5 or above.

• 6+ months of corporate function experience in operations management, business administration, or a related discipline.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).

• Familiarity with export control regulations.

• Knowledge of global trade compliance practices.

Additional Requirements

You must be able to work full-time, on-site, for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks beginning in January, February, or March 2027.

Important Information

For candidates seeking to work in US offices: To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab employees must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful U.S. permanent resident, lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.

Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on 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.