Manufacturing Engineering Intern- Composites

Rocket Lab•Auckland, E7 1010, NZ• Internship

Posted 3 hours ago• Mechanical

Job Description

ABOUT ROCKET LAB

Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access space. The rockets and satellites we build, and launch enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation and missions to combat climate change, national security, and exciting new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, all while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium-lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. Our Space Systems business designs and builds our extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft that have been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

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While other companies talk about it, we do it!

ABOUT SPACE SYSTEMS AT ROCKET LAB:

Rocket Lab’s Space Systems team is responsible for every satellite and satellite component made by Rocket Lab: from complete satellites destined for missions to the Moon and Mars, to the individual components and subsystems that make up a satellite like solar panels, flight software, reaction wheels and star trackers, separation systems, radios, and more. Our Space Systems team is made up of engineers, technicians, and designers who design, create, and put together our own satellites for missions across the commercial, government, and defense sectors, or who build and assemble satellite hardware and software that supports other satellite missions.

Position Purpose:

The Manufacturing Engineering Intern – Composites will support composite material qualification and mechanical testing activities and help develop a new flat-patterning and reverse-engineering process for composite parts. Primary responsibilities include supporting prepreg qualification at the lamina and laminate level, running mechanical tests on sandwich panels and structural components such as struts, documenting test procedures and results, contributing to material specification documents, and helping map out a new workflow from scanned geometry through surface modelling to cut-ready patterns. The position requires attention to detail, adherence to testing standards, and the ability to organize technical data.

WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO:

Prepreg Material Qualification: Support qualification of composite prepreg materials at both the lamina and laminate level, including layup, cure, coupon preparation, and mechanical testing to generate material property data.
Mechanical Testing: Undertake mechanical testing of sandwich panels and structural components such as struts. Characterize performance by documenting results and drawing defensible conclusions from the data.
Documentation: Document test processes and procedures required to characterize the performance of composite materials and sandwich panels. Clearly outline tests to allow repeated testing on similar products in the future.
Material Specifications: Document generalized material specifications based on mechanical testing data obtained for use by engineers globally.
Flat-Patterning & Reverse Engineering: Help map out and document a new process for flat-patterning and reverse engineering of composite parts. Use a Romer CMM arm to capture as-built geometry and develop the workflow from Rhino through ExactFlat (or Pattern PRO / FiberSim where appropriate) to produce DXF files for cutting. Trial the process on representative parts and help write the procedure for repeatable team use.

YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS:

Currently undertaking study towards a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Mechatronics, or Materials Engineering, with a strong academic record.
Foundational understanding of composite materials — fibre and matrix behaviour, laminate theory, and common manufacturing processes (hand layup, prepreg, vacuum bagging, autoclave or oven cure).
Working knowledge of mechanical testing principles and the ability to interpret test data, including understanding variability, failure modes, and measurement uncertainty.
Proficiency with at least one CAD or surface modelling platform, and ability to learn new software quickly.
Strong written communication skills — able to produce technical documentation, procedures, and reports that are clear and reproducible.
Methodical, detail-oriented, and disciplined with data; comfortable with repetitive hands-on work when required.
Curious, resilient, and adaptable when plans change or results are unexpected.
Genuine interest in composite manufacturing and the aerospace industry.

THESE QUALIFICAITONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE:

Hands-on composite fabrication experience.
Exposure to mechanical testing, coupon preparation, or materials characterization in a lab or workshop setting.
Familiarity with surface modelling in Rhino, flat-pattern development (e.g., ExactFlat, Pattern PRO, FiberSim), or CAD platforms such as NX.
Experience with metrology tools such as a Romer CMM arm, PolyWorks, or similar inspection software.
Familiarity with CMH-17 and the concept of design allowables (A-basis, B-basis, knockdown factors).
Experience working to a formal process or quality standard.

If the above sounds like you apply now!

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 [email protected].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.