Rocket Lab internship in 2026: 80%+ conversion rate and how to apply
Rocket Lab internship in 2026: 80%+ conversion rate and how to apply
Rocket Lab reports that over 80% of its interns receive employment offers — one of the highest conversion rates in the aerospace industry. The company offers paid internships across engineering, software, and business roles.
Pay and logistics
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Pay | $25/hr+ (software engineering confirmed; other roles vary) |
| Duration | Minimum 12 consecutive weeks |
| Start dates | May or June 2026 |
| Schedule | Full-time, on-site |
| Applications open | November (typically) |
Locations
| Site | Focus |
|---|---|
| Long Beach, CA | HQ, Electron and Neutron production, spacecraft |
| Wallops Island, VA | Launch Complex 2 and 3, launch operations |
| Mahia, New Zealand | Launch Complex 1 |
| Auckland, New Zealand | Engineering and production |
Available intern roles
- Test Engineering
- Quality Engineering
- R&D Engineering
- Integration & Test
- Software Development
- Systems Engineering
- Business Development
- Export Compliance
What makes Rocket Lab internships competitive
Rocket Lab is small enough (~1,800 employees) that interns get meaningful hands-on experience — you're working directly on flight hardware, not filing paperwork. The 80%+ conversion rate reflects this: the company invests in interns and wants to retain them.
Applicants for U.S. internships must be U.S. citizens or citizens of an ITAR-approved country (most NATO and allied nations). New Zealand positions have similar requirements under NZ export control laws. Check specific postings for citizenship requirements.
Browse Rocket Lab positions on Zero G Talent, or see our Rocket Lab careers guide.