Savanna Hoffman
Rocket Lab is an aerospace company with a global presence, including sites in the US, Canada, and New Zealand. They offer internships and entry-level jobs for students and graduates, providing real-world experience and the opportunity to work on ambitious space missions. While Rocket Lab internships are paid and often lead to employment, eligibility criteria vary by location. For example, US-based internships require applicants to be US citizens or persons, whereas Canadian internships require eligibility to live and work in Canada, and New Zealand internships require applicants to be New Zealand citizens or citizens of ITAR-approved countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Internship opportunities | Yes, but applicants must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. person to be eligible for internships in Long Beach and New Mexico. Canadian-based interns must be entitled to live and work in Canada. |
| Global presence | Rocket Lab has offices and operations in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. |
| Number of employees | Over 1,300 employees |
| Satellites deployed | 148 |
| Number of launch pads | 3 |
| Photon satellites in orbit | 2 |
| Number of rockets launched | 80 sounding rockets |
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What You'll Learn
Internships at Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is a global company with a variety of internship opportunities. The company has stated that its internships are designed to provide students with real-world experience and the chance to impact actual programs within the space industry. Notably, over 80% of internships result in employment with Rocket Lab.
Each Rocket Lab site has its own unique internship offerings. For instance, internships at the Long Beach facility generally span software, engineering, and/or corporate support roles. To be eligible for an internship at this site, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. person. Additionally, Rocket Lab Long Beach supports internships for fellows in the Brooke Owens Fellowship Program, which provides paid internships and executive mentorship for exceptional undergraduate women and gender-minority students in aerospace.
Rocket Lab is also a host institution for the Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program, a highly selective internship and mentorship program that provides opportunities to college juniors, seniors, and graduate students passionate about commercial spaceflight. New Mexico-based interns through this program have played a direct role in important space missions, including the Mars 2020 Helicopter and NASA’s Power and Propulsion Element for the lunar gateway. Similar to the Long Beach internships, applicants must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Person to be eligible.
Rocket Lab Toronto internships involve contributing directly to satellite components. Applicants must be entitled to live and work in Canada to be eligible for an internship at this site. Previous hands-on experience from university projects or previous internships is highly valued but not necessary. To meet ITAR hiring restrictions, applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or a citizen of an ITAR-approved country.
Rocket Lab has faced some criticism for breaking a promise to Mahia locals by using military payloads. However, the company is still an attractive prospect for interns, offering the chance to work with leading names such as NASA, DARPA, Canon, and Black Sky. Rocket Lab also provides a work environment where everyone is self-motivated and encouraged to innovate and bring new ideas to life.
While specific requirements may vary depending on the internship, applicants do not need to know all the required qualifications before applying. Rocket Lab values a willingness to learn and the ability to think and learn over prior knowledge.
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Rocket Lab's hiring restrictions
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company that offers launch services, satellite components, spacecraft, and on-orbit management. It has more than 1300 employees working across different job positions and launch sites. The company is headquartered in California, with other locations in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.
Rocket Lab offers internships and entry-level jobs, providing scholarships and educational opportunities for students and interns. However, to meet its ITAR hiring restrictions, Rocket Lab requires that applicants for internships in Long Beach and New Mexico must be U.S. citizens or U.S. persons. Similarly, for internships in Toronto, applicants must be eligible to live and work in Canada.
For its New Zealand locations, Rocket Lab's website currently advertises jobs in Auckland and Waikato but does not specify any citizenship requirements. However, given the company's ITAR restrictions and the nature of its work in the space industry, it is likely that certain positions may be restricted to citizens of ITAR-approved countries.
In general, the space industry in the United States can be challenging for international students, particularly those on F-1 visas, due to ITAR/EAR barriers. Companies that produce rockets that are subject to ITAR regulations typically do not hire non-citizens, and obtaining a green card or citizenship may be necessary to improve job prospects in this field.
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International student employment in the US
International students seeking employment in the United States must navigate a complex set of visa regulations and requirements. The type of visa and associated restrictions play a crucial role in determining the feasibility of finding work in the country. Most international students in the US hold an F1 visa, which permits them to work, but within specific parameters set by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Understanding and adhering to these guidelines are essential for international students seeking employment opportunities.
On-campus employment is generally the most accessible option for F1 visa holders, as it does not require prior USCIS approval. However, such opportunities might be limited depending on the educational institution. For off-campus employment, which includes internships and full-time positions, international students must obtain authorization from the Designated School Official (the person managing the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) and USCIS. This authorization ensures that the work is directly related to the student's major area of study.
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is another pathway for international students seeking off-campus employment. OPT allows F1 students to work during and after completing their degrees, but it requires prior authorization from USCIS and the school's International Student Office. Students can apply for OPT after being enrolled for nine months, and the total duration of OPT is up to 12 months full-time. Part-time OPT reduces the available full-time OPT duration accordingly. Additionally, students who have engaged in 12 months or more of full-time Curricular Practical Training (CPT) are not eligible for OPT.
The process of hiring international students varies slightly for employers. They must be enrolled in E-Verify, implement a formal training program, and provide an employment opportunity similar to that of US workers in terms of duties, hours, and compensation. Employers should also be prepared for potential worksite visits by government agents to verify compliance with STEM OPT program requirements. While the process of hiring international students involves additional steps, it is a well-established pathway, and resources like the U.S. Employer's Guide to Hiring International Students can provide further clarity on the process.
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Rocket Lab's US and non-US offices
Rocket Lab is a global company with offices, factories, test sites, and launch sites in the United States and New Zealand. The company's headquarters are in California, USA, and it has additional locations in Washington, D.C., Colorado, Maryland, New Mexico, and Long Beach, where it manufactures, assembles, and prepares its Electron rocket for launch.
In New Zealand, Rocket Lab has a presence in Auckland, Mahia (where its Launch Complex 1, the world's first private orbital launch site, is located), Waikato, and Warkworth. The company's global Mission Control Center is located in Auckland, along with operations for its space systems programs and satellite components production. The Mahia site is licensed to launch rockets every 72 hours for 30 years and has supported launches for customers including NASA and the U.S. Air Force.
Rocket Lab also has a presence in Canada, with an office in Toronto that focuses on satellite component design, testing, and manufacturing for the company's space systems program. To be eligible for an internship or employment at Rocket Lab's Canadian locations, applicants must be entitled to live and work in Canada and be citizens of New Zealand or an ITAR-approved country.
While Rocket Lab offers internships at many of its sites, these positions are generally only open to U.S. citizens or U.S. persons. The company does, however, offer mentorship programs and internships for undergraduate women and gender minorities in aerospace through the Brooke Owens Fellowship Program.
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Rocket Lab's graduate program
Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company that offers launch services, satellite components, spacecraft, and on-orbit management. It has more than 1300 employees working for it at different job positions and launch sites. The company has so far launched 28 rockets, deployed 148 satellites, has 3 launch pads, and 2 Photon satellites in orbit. Rocket Lab is known for successfully launching 80 sounding rockets and for becoming the first private company to reach space from the Southern Hemisphere in 2009. The company offers several job opportunities and a chance to work with leading names such as NASA, DARPA, Canon, Black Sky, Space Flight, and Fleet.
Rocket Lab offers multiple pathway and financial aid opportunities for students as they navigate their career paths. The company provides scholarships and educational opportunities for students and interns who are looking for early career options. The Rocket Lab Scholarship, for instance, funds bright STEM students for $20,000 towards their fees and a mentoring program. The company also offers internships at all of its global sites, providing real-world experience and an opportunity to impact real programs within the space industry. These internships are paid and over 80% of internships result in employment with Rocket Lab. To be eligible for an internship, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. person, or a New Zealand citizen or a citizen of an ITAR-approved country.
Rocket Lab internships generally span software, engineering, and/or corporate support roles. The company's Long Beach internships offer opportunities in the Brooke Owens Fellowship Program, which provides paid internships and executive mentorship for exceptional undergraduate women and gender-minority students in aerospace. Similarly, the Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program is a highly selective internship and mentorship program that provides internship opportunities to college juniors, seniors, and graduate students passionate about commercial spaceflight. The company's Canadian-based interns receive mentoring and career advice and contribute directly to satellite components.
Full-Time Work Options for International Students
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Frequently asked questions
No, Rocket Lab requires interns at their US offices to be US citizens. However, their Canadian internships are open to those who are eligible to live and work in Canada, and their New Zealand offices are open to New Zealand citizens or citizens of an ITAR-approved country.
US rocketry companies that produce rockets that are big enough for ITAR to be involved rarely hire non-citizens. However, some smaller space companies are completely ITAR-free and can hire anyone who can legally work in the US.
International students can look at applying for a green card, which would enable them to get non-DoD jobs in the space industry. They can also look at startups or companies like Blue Origin, which is based in Seattle.
There are many competitive international space companies based outside of the US, such as in New Zealand and Europe. Rocket Lab, for example, has offices in Canada, New Zealand, and the US, and offers internships and full-time positions at these locations.
International students can look into internships, scholarships, and other educational opportunities offered by space companies. For example, Rocket Lab offers internships and is a host institution for the Brooke Owens Fellowship Program and the Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program, which provide mentorship and internship opportunities to students interested in the space industry.
