R&D Engineering Intern — Space Tech Prototyping

What You’ll Get to Do As an intern, you will 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 1:1’s 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. You’ll Bring These Qualifications 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 after the internship. GPA of 3.0 or above. 3+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable). These Qualifications Would Be Nice to Have GPA of 3.5 or above. 6+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable). Strong Excel experience. Experience in hands‑on prototyping: soldering, wire splicing, laser cutting, dispensing, solar cell processing, or panel assembly. Experience with robotic arms. Experience with AI tools. Knowledge of Ohm’s Law and fundamental solar cell behavior (I‑V curves, efficiency). Knowledge of heat transfer principles (conductive and reactive). Knowledge of circuits, semiconductor physics, or thermodynamics. Additional Requirements Able to work full-time, on‑site for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks beginning August or September 2026 (Fall Interns). Compensation and Other Benefits 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, 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 our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way. For candidates seeking to work in US offices only To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, Rocket Lab employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (current green card holder), or be lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here. Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment 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 at Rocket Lab, 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 for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at View email address on click.appcast.io. 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 to your request 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 being made to an applicant. 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’ 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 country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations. #J-18808-Ljbffr Rocket Lab Corporation