Electron Configuration Management Intern
Rocket Lab · Auckland, New Zealand · 1mo ago
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 Electron Vehicle Development team at our Auckland Production Complex. The Electron program is in an exciting phase where we are expanding the Electron launch vehicle's capabilities to meet new customer needs, in parallel with refining its design to increase the rate at which we produce and launch it.
As a Configuration Management Intern, you will play a key role in these efforts by supporting the smooth, efficient, and timely development of engineering changes as well as their introduction into production. You'll plan, coordinate, and deliver engineering change projects, and maintain the resulting Electron launch vehicle Bill of Materials (BOM) and other configuration Master Data, across all product variants.
This project offers you the opportunity to apply your software engineering and data integration skills to streamline a critical engineering workflow that directly impacts our product configuration management and regulatory compliance!
This is an opportunity to work on real space technology projects and contribute to missions that are literally reaching for the stars.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Engineering/Configuration Change Management:
- Develop an automated system to track when new design items first appear in production, eliminating manual tracking overhead
- Maintain data quality on first-flight items, which is critical to understanding differences between tails (launch vehicle builds) and can be very useful for anomaly investigations
- Leverage ERP planning and production Bill of Materials (BOM) records and automatically update corresponding JIRA change tickets with implementation details
- Support the configuration management of Electron launch vehicle variants
- Plan, coordinate, and deliver engineering change projects
- Maintain Electron launch vehicle Bill of Materials (BOM) and configuration Master Data
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
- Create technical documentation pertinent to configuration management with supervision
- Communicate effectively with peers using appropriate mediums (email, tickets, meetings)
- Create presentations, metrics, and emails that highlight important information with supervision
- Support specific tasks for other teammates when asked and appropriately trained
- Participate in identifying business challenges and contributing to solutions
- Ensure health and safety policies and standard operating procedures are followed
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
MUST HAVE:
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or related field
- Good communicator with proven ability to write clear and concise technical documentation
- Can-do approach and flexibility to thrive around growing teams and processes
- Passion for the aerospace industry
- Ability to apply engineering and industry concepts and theories
- Takes ownership and accountability for task completion by delivering results
- Positive attitude and "How can I help?" mentality
- Self-managed and committed to working in a fast-paced environment
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams
- Can listen and internalize all sides of technical discussions
- Proactive communicator, comfortable seeking help when needed to get unblocked
- Professional and positive communication skills
NICE TO HAVE:
- Software Engineering experience with git-based development environments and version control
- Automation/Scripting skills (e.g., Python programming for automation and server API requests)
- Data Visualization experience with tools like Power BI
- Data Engineering/Data Pipelines knowledge
- Familiarity with Project Management tools (e.g., Jira)
- Familiarity with PLM tools (e.g., Teamcenter)
- Familiarity with ERP tools (e.g., LN)
- Familiarity with CAD tools (e.g., NX)
- Understanding of configuration management principles
- Experience with database systems and SQL
- Knowledge of aerospace product development processes
WHAT WE OFFER
- Hands-on experience working on configuration management for an operational launch vehicle
- Opportunity to develop automated systems that directly impact production efficiency
- Mentorship from experienced configuration management and engineering professionals
- Exposure to aerospace product lifecycle management and regulatory compliance
- Professional development opportunities in the space industry
- Collaborative and innovative work environment at our Auckland Production Complex
- Direct contribution to increasing Electron's production rate and capabilities
- Experience working across engineering, production, and quality teams
- Opportunity to contribute to missions that make a difference
- Potential pathway to future career opportunities at Rocket Lab
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Must be able to wear correct PPE in designated areas
- Must report near-misses and incidents promptly
- Additional duties as reasonably required
HOW TO APPLY
Please ensure you submit a cover letter, detailing why you are interested in the specific role you have applied for. Please make sure to cite a project/experience/hobby that is relevant to the role.
Application Deadline: Friday, 28th August 2026
Please note: We will be reviewing and interviewing candidates on a rolling basis as applications are received. We strongly encourage you to submit your application as early as possible, as positions may be filled before the closing date.
Start Date: November 2026
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 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.