Test 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 a Test Engineering Intern based at Rocket Lab's site in Long Beach, California, you will support the team that designs, builds, and operates the test infrastructure validating our propulsion and fluids systems and components from concept to flight. We provide end-to-end test engineering solutions, from custom test stand design and SCADA hardware/software development to orchestrating and conducting qualification campaigns and production testing, ensuring every component meets the rigorous demands of spaceflight.

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 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 in this position 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 an engineering discipline such as Aerospace, Mechanical, or Robotics Engineering, or a related field, 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.
• Experience with Arduino, LabVIEW, SolidWorks, and MATLAB.
• 3D printing experience.
• Proficient in Python.

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 for this position in California is $28.00 per hour. 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 benefits include an industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with 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 merch store, and other employee discounts. Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status; please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company's discretion.

What to Expect

We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth. That 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 delivering rather than dwelling on challenges.

Important Information for US Office Candidates: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, Rocket Lab employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted as a refugee or granted asylum, 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 federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at [email protected]. This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. 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 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 United States' ITAR. 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 or nationality. For more information, click here.