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Internship Rocket Lab Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

HIL Engineer II

Alameda, CA · On-site

$92K - $130K/yr

... rocket's brain before it ever leaves the ground. Hardware-in-the-loop testing is how we find ... Why We Value You * 2+ years of experience in a test, lab, or development environment (internships ...

Showing results 21-28

Internship Rocket Lab information

What is an internship at Rocket Lab?

An internship at Rocket Lab is a temporary, structured work experience for students or recent graduates looking to gain hands-on experience in the aerospace industry. Interns at Rocket Lab work alongside industry professionals on real projects in areas such as engineering, manufacturing, software, and business operations. These internships typically last for a set period, often over the summer, and provide valuable learning opportunities, mentorship, and the potential for future employment. Interns can expect to be involved in exciting projects related to rocket development, satellite technology, and launch operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an intern at Rocket Lab, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Rocket Lab intern, a strong academic background in engineering, physics, or a related STEM field is essential, often supported by progress toward a relevant degree. Familiarity with CAD software, programming languages (such as Python or MATLAB), and hands-on laboratory or project experience are highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication set standout interns apart. These skills are vital for contributing meaningfully to high-tech projects, adapting quickly, and collaborating in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

What types of projects can interns expect to work on at Rocket Lab, and how are they integrated into the engineering teams?

Interns at Rocket Lab are typically given hands-on, meaningful projects that contribute directly to ongoing missions, such as development, testing, or analysis of rocket components and systems. They work closely with experienced engineers, participating in team meetings, design reviews, and collaborative problem-solving sessions. This integrated approach helps interns gain practical experience, build technical skills, and understand the fast-paced environment of the aerospace industry. Regular mentorship and feedback are provided to support learning and professional growth.

What is the difference between Internship Rocket Lab vs Rocket Engineer?

AspectInternship Rocket LabRocket Engineer
Required CredentialsEnrolled in or recent graduate of engineering/science programBachelor's or higher in aerospace, mechanical, or related engineering
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, learning-focused, collaborative teamsFull-time, professional engineering environment, project-driven
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by companies like Rocket Lab for training future engineersUsed by aerospace companies for designing and testing rockets

Internship Rocket Lab is a temporary, learning-focused position for students or recent graduates, while a Rocket Engineer is a full-time professional responsible for designing and developing rocket systems. Internships provide hands-on experience, whereas Rocket Engineers work on ongoing projects in a professional setting.

What are the most commonly searched types of Rocket Lab jobs in California?

The most popular types of Rocket Lab jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Internship Rocket Lab jobs?

Cities in California with the most Internship Rocket Lab job openings:

Infographic showing various Internship Rocket Lab job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.

Power Electronics Engineer (Starship)

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$120K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


SpaceX rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 72 rated aerospace companies


Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
POWER ELECTRONICS ENGINEER (STARSHIP)
The Starship electrical hardware development team supports the mission to revolutionize orbital flight and space travel- opening access for humankind to establish new frontiers in space and ultimately become a multi-planetary species. Our team builds some of the most advanced electronics ever flown in space- at a cost and rate previously considered unthinkable in the space industry. Become a part of this fast moving and world class hardware development team, work with super smart and motivated engineers, and achieve truly audacious goals. If you're ready for a challenge and would like to help make our civilization multi-planetary then you've come to the right place!
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Rapidly develop high-reliability electronics for rockets and spacecraft
  • Drive system trades, requirements capture, component selection, analysis, schematic capture, prototyping, bring-up, debugging, documentation, manufacturing, and test
  • Design, analyze, and test DC-DC power converters and power distribution products for harsh environments
  • Work on electrical power system and sub-system level design trades and develop requirements
  • Work with experts from other teams and departments to drive changes that make the system more efficient, manufacturable, and reliable. Challenge assumptions and build strong professional relationships.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or similar discipline
  • 1+ years of experience designing, building, or testing circuit boards or other electronics (research, internships and extracurricular academic projects qualify)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Master's degree in electrical engineering or related field
  • Passion for spaceflight and curiosity for electronics in high-reliability applications
  • Excitement for making systems smarter, better, faster, cheaper
  • Experience making products or systems work with minimal time and resources
  • Experience developing fundamentally new hardware, not just incrementally updating legacy hardware
  • Experience with circuit board layout, especially for switching power converters or high-speed digital applications
  • Experience designing switching power converters, power magnetics, analog control loops, solid state load switches, motor inverters, EMI/EMC compliance, or sensor signal conditioning circuits
  • Experience with high voltage devices, lithium ion batteries, or power distribution optimization
  • Previous experience working with magnetics and design of custom transformers and inductors, including planar magnetics
  • Experience in modeling, simulation, and testing of power electronics
  • Working experience in voltage and current mode control and compensation design
  • Strong grasp of DC-DC topologies, with ability to select optimal architectures and components
  • Understanding of design for fault tolerance and reliability
  • Familiar with failure mode effects and criticality analysis
  • Familiarity with power supply testing and packaging for harsh environments
  • Experience with in-lab impedance measurement and loop-gain measurement
  • Familiarity with spacecraft electrical power systems and knowledge of radiation effects
  • Experience with circuit board design-for-manufacturing or productization of electronics
  • Experience with automating hardware development functions (e.g. scripting to control benchtop equipment or to accelerate analysis or simulation)
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced and autonomously driven environment
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 1: $105,000.00 - $140,000.00
Level 2: $120,000.00 - $170,000.00
Your actual 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 part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

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About SpaceX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US