Quality Engineering Intern Spring 2027

Rocket Lab Corporation•Long Beach, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company that builds rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems. The Quality Engineering Intern will be based at Rocket Lab’s Long Beach, California site and support supplier improvement and development initiatives. The Supplier Quality Engineering team focuses on supplier interactions and root cause investigations to mitigate risks to production demand and part availability. The intern will work closely with a mentor and department employees, applying engineering and industry concepts to practical challenges while developing technical and professional skills. The role includes regular one-on-one meetings with mentors and supervisors, progress updates, and opportunities to attend technical talks and connect with interns and employees through social and professional events. The internship requires full-time, on-site availability for at least 12 consecutive weeks, beginning in January, February, or March 2027. The listed California hourly pay is $28. A relocation stipend may be available. Rocket Lab describes additional benefits and perks, with eligibility potentially varying by employment status.

Requirements

Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in engineering, physics, or mathematics, with at least one semester remaining after the internship.
GPA of 3.0 or above.
At least 3 months of applied engineering experience; internship, laboratory, and personal or team project experience is applicable.
Able to work full-time on-site for at least 12 consecutive weeks beginning in January, February, or March 2027.
Candidates seeking to work in U.S. offices must meet applicable U.S. Government space technology export authorization requirements, as described in the posting.

Nice To Haves

GPA of 3.5 or above.
At least 6 months of applied engineering experience; internship, laboratory, and personal or team project experience is applicable.
Experience with PowerBI, Tableau, or Minitab.
Computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) experience.
Experience with CNC, mills, lathes, and powered equipment.
Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) experience.
Experience with Siemens NX, Jira, Solidworks, or ANSYS.
Proficient Python experience.
Proficiency in Excel, including Pivot Tables, Pareto charts, and VLOOKUPS.
Familiarity with Six Sigma, Lean, or quality systems.
Familiarity with reflow profiling, solder paste printing, and inspection equipment.

Responsibilities

Support supplier improvement and development initiatives.
Contribute to supplier interactions and root cause investigations to help mitigate risks to production demand and part availability.
Work with a mentor and department employees to apply engineering and industry concepts to practical challenges.
Attend regular one-on-one meetings with mentors and supervisors and provide progress updates.
Participate in technical talks and social and professional events with interns and employees.

Benefits

Potential relocation stipend.
Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a company HSA 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.
401(k) retirement plan with company match.
Subsidized EV charging.
Onsite fitness centers where available.
Discounted gym memberships.
Complimentary snacks and beverages.
50% employee discount on the company merchandise store.
Other employee discounts.