Thermal Engineering Intern (Long Beach)

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 a Thermal Engineering Intern at Rocket Lab's Long Beach, California site, you'll join a team that supports the entire lifecycle of spacecraft production, from conception through flight. This team serves as subject matter experts on thermal engineering for the company and its subsidiaries, occasionally supporting thermal teams on the launch services side. Thermal engineers coordinate closely with other disciplines like GNC and mechanical, requiring cross-functional training to deliver the most efficient thermal solutions.

What You'll Get to Do

• Work closely with your mentor and department employees to apply your knowledge and grow your skills 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 You'll Bring

Ideal candidates 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.

• 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 applicable).

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• GPA of 3.5 or above.
• 6+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience applicable).
• Thermal engineering experience.
• Experience using CAD/CAM.
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) machining experience.
• Experience using a lathe machine.

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 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, skills, education, and experience. Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package. Benefits include an Employee Stock Purchase Program (15% discount), top-tier medical plans, dental and vision coverage, paid vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, flexible spending accounts, paid parental leave, disability and life insurance, and a 401(k) with company match. Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers, discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, and 50% employee discount on our merch store. Eligibility may vary based on employment status.

What to Expect

We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task. 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 focus on how we can deliver rather than dwelling on challenges.

Important information:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, Rocket Lab employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or otherwise eligible to obtain required authorizations. 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.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [email protected].

For candidates seeking to work in New Zealand offices: background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role 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.