Manufacturing Engineering Intern - Composites

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.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We're looking for a motivated intern to join our Manufacturing Engineering team at our Warkworth Composites Complex. As a Manufacturing Engineering Intern - Composites, you'll be at the heart of the action, figuring out how to build the structural composites of the Neutron rocket.

As a manufacturing engineer, you'll collaborate with development engineers to design efficient, high-quality parts and work closely with production teams to bring the rocket to life. Your role will focus on designing production tooling, developing process routings, and creating detailed work instructions for the fabrication of composite components, with the goal of improving process efficiency, repeatability, and quality.

You'll take ownership of selected composite parts from concept through to production, designing the tooling needed to build them, defining how they'll be manufactured, and creating the instructions that enable our technicians to produce flight-quality hardware. This is a hands-on opportunity to see your work directly contribute to building rocket components that will fly to space.

This is an opportunity to work on real operational challenges and contribute to missions that are literally reaching for the stars.

Tooling Design

Design production tooling (e.g., molds, jigs, fixtures) required for the layup, curing, trimming, and assembly of composite parts

Generate 2D/3D CAD models and detailed drawings for tooling fabrication

Collaborate with the tooling shop and suppliers to ensure manufacturability and timely delivery

Process Routing Development

Develop step-by-step process routings for composite parts, detailing all manufacturing operations from raw material preparation to final inspection

Define process parameters, equipment, and materials required at each stage

Create manufacturing bill of materials (BOM) for assigned parts

Incorporate best practices for safety, quality, and efficiency

Review and release process routings in collaboration with engineering and production teams

Work Instruction Creation

Create clear, concise, and visual work instructions for operators and technicians

Include photos, diagrams, and key process controls to ensure clarity

Ensure instructions comply with company standards and industry regulations

Test work instructions with production technicians and iterate based on feedback

Review and release finalized work instructions

Implementation & Qualification

Support production teams in building parts using your tooling, routings, and work instructions

Build parts alongside technicians to validate processes and identify improvement opportunities

Maintain full manufacturing records for qualification purposes

Collect feedback from operators and incorporate lessons learned

Document continuous improvement actions and recommendations

Documentation & Reporting

Create comprehensive project documentation including tooling designs, process routings, and work instructions

Prepare a final report detailing deliverables, lessons learned, and continuous improvement actions

Present project outcomes to stakeholders

Hand over all deliverables to support ongoing production

General Responsibilities

Take ownership for completion of tasks personally delivering results

Commit to and complete tasks within expected time frame, holding yourself accountable

Manage your own task list and execute allocated tasks to assigned deadlines

Communicate effectively with peers and stakeholders using appropriate mediums

Support specific tasks for other teammates when asked and appropriately trained

Ensure health and safety policies and standard operating procedures are followed

Key Deliverables

Tooling designed, built, and qualified for selected composite part(s)

Manufacturing bill of materials and routings developed, reviewed, and released

Work instructions developed, reviewed, and released

Part(s) built and qualified with full manufacturing records

Comprehensive report with lessons learned and continuous improvement actions

MUST HAVE

Currently studying or recently completed a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Mechanically minded with strong spatial visualization skills

Hands-on problem solver with systematic thinking

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Attention to detail and a passion for quality

Proactive communicator, comfortable seeking clarification and feedback

Eagerness to learn new tools and technologies

Collaborative mindset, able to work with cross-functional teams

Takes ownership for completion of tasks by delivering results

Ensures tasks and priorities assigned by leadership are understood

Positive attitude and approachable demeanor

Challenges respectfully and listens when required

NICE TO HAVE

Knowledge of structural composites manufacturing processes

Experience with composite layup, curing, or trimming

CAD experience (e.g., CATIA, SolidWorks, NX)

Understanding of composite materials and fabrication techniques

Experience creating technical documentation or work instructions

Familiarity with manufacturing engineering principles

Knowledge of quality standards and process control

Hands-on workshop or fabrication experience

Previous internship or work experience (though not required)

Passion for aerospace, space technology, and innovation