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Programs & Business

People & Culture Intern Summer 2027

Rocket Lab logoRocket Lab$25.00/hrLong Beach, CA, United StatesPosted 1mo ago

About the role

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 People and Culture Intern based at Rocket Lab’s site in Long Beach, California, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in People & Culture operations and insight into our company's approach to the employee life cycle. The team collaborates closely with Total Rewards, TA, EIS, Security, Payroll, EH&S, IT, Facilities, and Legal to support daily operations.

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

  • Must be enrolled in a bachelor’s, master's or doctorate program in Business Administration, Human Resources, Management or related field and have at least one semester of school remaining post internship.
  • GPA of 3.0 or above.
  • 3+ months of corporate function experience within the areas of Human Resources.

THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE

  • GPA of 3.5 or above.
  • 6+ months of corporate function experience within the areas of Human Resources.
  • Strong experience with Microsoft Office (Powerpoint & Excel)
  • Strong time management skills and attentive to details

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

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

COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS

  • Pay Range CA: $25.00 USD Hourly
  • You may be eligible for a stipend to subsidize relocation costs

Level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one component of our total rewards package at Rocket Lab. Our comprehensive benefits package includes our industry-leading Employee Stock Purchase Program (with a 15% discount on company stock), top-tier medical plans (HMO, PPO, and a zero cost HDHP option with a significant HSA company 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, and a 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

Additional perks include subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers (where available), discounted gym memberships, complimentary snacks and beverages, 50% employee discount on our popular merch store, and a variety of other employee discounts.

Eligibility for benefits may vary based on employment status, please check with your recruiter for a comprehensive list of the benefits available for this role. Benefit programs are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

Hourly Pay Range (CA Only)

$25 - $25 USD

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.

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.

Copied from the listing Rocket Lab published, verified 29 Oct 2026.

The application

Your details and CV, then 19 questions.

Have readyCVCover letter (optional)
  1. 1.
    Undergrad GPA: Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale.Pick one (30 options)
  2. 2.
    Masters GPA: Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale. Select "Not Applicable" if you do not have a Masters GPAPick one (31 options)
  3. 3.
    Doctorate GPA: Please convert your GPA to a 4.0 scale. Select "Not Applicable" if you do not have a doctorate GPAPick one (31 options)
  4. 4.
    Select your anticipated bachelor's degree graduation datePick one (49 options)
  5. 5.
    Select your anticipated master's degree graduation datePick one (49 options)
  6. 6.
    Do you meet all the essential qualifications that are listed under the "You'll Bring These Qualifications" section?Yes or no
  7. 7.
    Outside of university coursework, what amount of software engineering experience do you have? This can include research/ laboratory work, and/or personal/team project experience.Pick one: None · Less than 3 months · 3-5 months · 6-9 months · 10+ months
  8. 8.
    Engineering Organization Involvement: Indicate if you are an active participant in any of the following engineering student groups or competitions listed below:Pick one (9 options)
  9. 9.
    Other Engineering Organization Involvement:Short answer · optional
  10. 10.
    Preferred Internship/Co-Op Start DatePick one
  11. 11.
    Preferred Internship/Co-Op Duration: Confirm the number of consecutive weeks you are available to work full-time and in-person.Pick one: 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17+
  12. 12.
    Are you a participant of the following scholarship, fellowships, or initiatives we support?Pick any: No · Yes - Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program · Yes - Brooke Owens Fellowships · Yes - Zenith Canada Pathways Foundation
  13. 13.
    Have you previously interviewed at Rocket Lab?Yes or no
  14. 14.
    Are you willing to work onsite?Yes or no
  15. 15.
    Citizenship StatusPick one
  16. 16.
    If Citizenship Status Other, please explain:Short answer · optional
  17. 17.
    Active Security Clearance(s)Pick any (8 options)
  18. 18.
    Any offer of employment with Rocket Lab is contingent on a successful criminal background check, drug screen, and professional reference check. Please indicate below if you can meet these hiring requirementsYes or no
  19. 19.
    Please specifyShort answer · optional

Taken from the application form Rocket Lab runs, verified 29 Oct 2026.

About Rocket Lab

Builds the Electron and Neutron launch vehicles and spacecraft and their components.

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