About the Job
We're looking for a motivated intern to join our Maintenance team at our Auckland Production Complex. As a Facilities Maintenance Manufacturing Engineer Intern, you will play a key role in developing and implementing standardised maintenance work instructions that will become a permanent part of Rocket Lab's mainten...
As we scale our operations to support both Electron and Neutron programmes, we're maturing our maintenance planning processes to include systematic execution of Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) activities. You will create structured work instructions for our technicians, implement them into our CMMS (Computeri...
Your work will directly support our AS9100 aerospace quality standards and help us develop a complete end-to-end production system. You'll work alongside experienced maintenance technicians to validate your instructions in real production environments, iterate based on lessons learned, and create scalable processes ...
Key Responsibilities
We're looking for a motivated intern to join our Maintenance team at our Auckland Production Complex. As a Facilities Maintenance Manufacturing Engineer Intern, you will play a key role in developing and implementing standardised maintenance work instructions that will become a permanent part of Rocket Lab's maintenance procedures.
As we scale our operations to support both Electron and Neutron programmes, we're maturing our maintenance planning processes to include systematic execution of Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) activities. You will create structured work instructions for our technicians, implement them into our CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System), and develop training materials that can be deployed across multiple Rocket Lab sites.
Your work will directly support our AS9100 aerospace quality standards and help us develop a complete end-to-end production system. You'll work alongside experienced maintenance technicians to validate your instructions in real production environments, iterate based on lessons learned, and create scalable processes for other Rocket Lab facilities.
This is an opportunity to work on real operational challenges and contribute to missions that are literally reaching for the stars.
Collaborate with the maintenance team to establish practical formats for work instructions
Review equipment location, naming conventions, maintenance tasks, and common components to determine optimal structure
Create detailed work instructions for PPM activities on all Single Point of Failure equipment
Develop standardised instructions for common maintenance tasks across production equipment, including in-house calibration procedures
Document appropriate maintenance checks and procedures for critical manufacturing systems
Undertake maintenance activities alongside trained technicians to test work instruction functionality and accuracy
Gather lessons learned from hands-on testing and use feedback to refine work instruction structure
Iterate on documentation to maximise efficiency, clarity, and record-keeping effectiveness
Release completed work instructions into Rocket Lab's CMMS system
Collaborate with the EIS (Enterprise Information Systems) team to configure system integration
Support the technical implementation of work instructions into the CMMS module
Create comprehensive training materials to enable other Rocket Lab sites to develop their own work instructions
Develop a common strategy and templates that can be adopted across multiple facilities
Create process maps that clearly communicate maintenance workflows
Support creation of Power BI reports to capture maintenance KPIs within our AS9100 quality structure
Upload all process documentation to Rocket Lab's information database
Create comprehensive handover documentation for long-term maintenance of the system
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
Establish a standardised format and structure for maintenance work instructions in collaboration with the maintenance team
Create comprehensive work instructions for PPM activities on all Single Point of Failure equipment
Develop work instructions for common maintenance tasks across remaining production equipment
Validate work instructions through hands-on testing alongside maintenance technicians in production environments
Create scalable training materials and templates that enable other Rocket Lab sites to adopt the same work instruction methodology
Support development of Power BI reports for maintenance KPI tracking aligned with AS9100 requirements
Stretch Goal: Successfully integrate work instructions into the CMMS module in collaboration with the EIS team
Required Skills & Abilities
Currently studying or recently completed a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering, or related field
Strong technical writing and documentation skills
Ability to create clear, detailed instructions that can be followed by technicians with varying experience levels
Analytical and problem-solving mindset with attention to detail
Ability to create process maps and flowcharts
Comfortable working in a production/manufacturing environment
Takes ownership and accountability for task completion by delivering results
Proactive communicator, comfortable seeking clarification and feedback from technical staff
Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
Collaborative mindset, able to work with cross-functional teams including maintenance technicians, engineers, and IT staff
Experience with mechanical equipment, preferably in a maintenance capacity
Basic understanding of the functions and working principles of a CMMS system
1-3 months of relevant work experience in maintenance, manufacturing, or operations
Familiarity with Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) concepts
Experience with Power BI or other data visualisation tools
Knowledge of AS9100 or other aerospace quality management standards
Understanding of reliability engineering or maintenance engineering principles
Experience with ERP or maintenance management software (e.g., Infor, SAP, Maximo)
Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, TPM, RCM)
Hands-on experience in workshop or manufacturing environments
Passion for aerospace, space technology, and innovation
