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Ground Systems Engineering Intern Spring 2027

Rocket Lab

Salary undisclosed

Stennis Space Center, MSInternOn-siteNovice

Need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview? Contact us.

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Description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, 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.

As a Grounds Systems Engineering Intern based at Rocket Lab’s site in Stennis, Mississippi, you will have the opportunity to support the Test Ground Systems team as they provide the Archimedes engine with everything it needs to see for test, and provide the instrumentation, controls, and automation necessary to capture any and all data to accelerate the Neutron Program. The Ground Systems team is an integral part of the testing team, from designing and building new stands and capabilities, to making sure the stand continues to run smoothly day to day every day offers new challenges and opportunities to grow and contribute to the success of the mission. 

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 

Ideal candidates will thrive in ambiguity and are excited to work in small, high-performing teams that are focused on continued learning and growth. Success in this position will be measured by the knowledge and experience you bring to the role, your ability to lead development projects without supervision, and your ability to successfully 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 Electrical, Mechatronics or Robotics Engineering, or physics 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 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) 

  • Experience with Solidworks and MATLAB 

  • Finite Element Analysis (FEA) experience  

  • Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/ CAM) experience 

  • Lathe Machining experience 

  • Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing experience 

  • Python and C++ experience 

  • Experience working with pressurized systems 

  • Proficient knowledge of fluid dynamics 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

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

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.   

Important information:

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 (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or 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 g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.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.

About this role

At Rocket Lab's Stennis Space Center facility, you'd support the Test Ground Systems team in developing and maintaining the infrastructure that enables engine testing for the Neutron program. This means working on everything from designing and building test stands to implementing the instrumentation, controls, and automation systems that capture critical test data. You'd be embedded in a small, high-performing team where each day brings different technical challenges and the chance to contribute directly to hardware that matters.

The role calls for an engineering or physics student with at least one semester remaining after the internship, a 3.0+ GPA, and three or more months of hands-on engineering experience—whether from prior internships, lab work, or personal projects. Experience with tools like Solidworks, MATLAB, CAD/CAM, or FEA would strengthen your candidacy, as would familiarity with pressurized systems or fluid dynamics. You'll work full-time on-site for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks starting January, February, or March 2027, with a potential relocation stipend available.

Success here depends on your ability to thrive in ambiguity, take on development projects with minimal supervision, and collaborate across teams. You'll have regular one-on-ones with mentors and access to tech talks and networking events with other interns. Note that U.S. citizenship or equivalent work authorization is required due to ITAR regulations governing space technology.

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Pay for this role

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