Manufacturing Engineering Intern - Composites

Manufacturing & Operationsposted 5d ago

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.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We're looking for a motivated intern to join our Manufacturing Engineering team at our Warkworth Composites Complex. As a Manufacturing Engineering Intern - Composites, you'll be at the heart of the action, figuring out how to build the structural composites of the Neutron rocket.

As a manufacturing engineer, you'll collaborate with development engineers to design efficient, high-quality parts and work closely with production teams to bring the rocket to life. Your role will focus on designing production tooling, developing process routings, and creating detailed work instructions for the fabrication of composite components, with the goal of improving process efficiency, repeatability, and quality.

You'll take ownership of selected composite parts from concept through to production, designing the tooling needed to build them, defining how they'll be manufactured, and creating the instructions that enable our technicians to produce flight-quality hardware. This is a hands-on opportunity to see your work directly contribute to building rocket components that will fly to space.

This is an opportunity to work on real operational challenges and contribute to missions that are literally reaching for the stars.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Tooling Design:

Design production tooling (e.g., molds, jigs, fixtures) required for the layup, curing, trimming, and assembly of composite parts

Generate 2D/3D CAD models and detailed drawings for tooling fabrication

Collaborate with the tooling shop and suppliers to ensure manufacturability and timely delivery

Support tooling build activities and qualification testing

Document tooling specifications and usage requirements

Process Routing Development:

Develop step-by-step process routings for composite parts, detailing all manufacturing operations from raw material preparation to final inspection

Define process parameters, equipment, and materials required at each stage

Create manufacturing bill of materials (BOM) for assigned parts

Incorporate best practices for safety, quality, and efficiency

Review and release process routings in collaboration with engineering and production teams

Work Instruction Creation:

Create clear, concise, and visual work instructions for operators and technicians

Include photos, diagrams, and key process controls to ensure clarity

Ensure instructions comply with company standards and industry regulations

Test work instructions with production technicians and iterate based on feedback

Review and release finalized work instructions

Implementation & Qualification:

Support production teams in building parts using your tooling, routings, and work instructions

Build parts alongside technicians to validate processes and identify improvement opportunities

Maintain full manufacturing records for qualification purposes

Collect feedback from operators and incorporate lessons learned

Document continuous improvement actions and recommendations

Documentation & Reporting:

Create comprehensive project documentation including tooling designs, process routings, and work instructions

Prepare a final report detailing deliverables, lessons learned, and continuous improvement actions

Present project outcomes to stakeholders

Hand over all deliverables to support ongoing production

General Responsibilities:

Take ownership for completion of tasks personally delivering results

Commit to and complete tasks within expected time frame, holding yourself accountable

Manage your own task list and execute allocated tasks to assigned deadlines

Communicate effectively with peers and stakeholders using appropriate mediums

Support specific tasks for other teammates when asked and appropriately trained

Ensure health and safety policies and standard operating procedures are followed

Key Deliverables:

Tooling designed, built, and qualified for selected composite part(s)

Manufacturing bill of materials and routings developed, reviewed, and released

Work instructions developed, reviewed, and released

Part(s) built and qualified with full manufacturing records

Comprehensive report with lessons learned and continuous improvement actions

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

MUST HAVE:

Currently studying or recently completed a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Mechanically minded with strong spatial visualization skills

Hands-on problem solver with systematic thinking

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Attention to detail and a passion for quality

Proactive communicator, comfortable seeking clarification and feedback

Eagerness to learn new tools and technologies

Collaborative mindset, able to work with cross-functional teams

Takes ownership for completion of tasks by delivering results

Ensures tasks and priorities assigned by leadership are understood

Positive attitude and approachable demeanor

Challenges respectfully and listens when required

NICE TO HAVE:

Knowledge of structural composites manufacturing processes

Experience with composite layup, curing, or trimming

CAD experience (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX)

Understanding of composite materials and fabrication techniques

Experience creating technical documentation or work instructions

Familiarity with manufacturing engineering principles

Knowledge of quality standards and process control

Hands-on workshop or fabrication experience

Previous internship or work experience (though not required)

Passion for aerospace, space technology, and innovation

WHAT WE OFFER

Hands-on experience designing and building production tooling for rocket structures

Opportunity to see your work fly to space on the Neutron rocket

Direct impact on how composite components are manufactured at Rocket Lab

Mentorship from experienced composites engineers and manufacturing professionals

Professional development in composites manufacturing, tooling design, and process engineering

Collaborative work environment at our Warkworth Composites Complex

Exposure to advanced composite materials and aerospace manufacturing techniques

Opportunity to work alongside skilled composite technicians in a production environment

Experience with the full manufacturing lifecycle from design through qualification

Potential pathway to future career opportunities at Rocket Lab

HOW TO APPLY

Please ensure you submit a cover letter, detailing why you are interested in the specific role you have applied for. Please make sure to cite a project/experience/hobby that is relevant to the role.

Please note: We will be reviewing and interviewing candidates on a rolling basis as applications are received. We strongly encourage you to submit your application as early as possible, as positions may be filled before the closing date.

Start Date: November 2026

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.