Pros
Having worked at Rocket Lab for over 5 years I've lived and breathed the momentous achievements and crushing delays that are synonymous with any space company - space is hard, but at the same time, oh so rewarding! The first time that structural element you designed is orbiting Earth, or the harness you manufactured is suppling the massive power demands of the rocket engines, or the separation system you qualified just performed perfectly - you can't beat it!
Rocket Lab has the best people I've ever worked with. It's a hugely multinational and diverse team from a range of backgrounds, experience levels and disciplines, but everyone is laser focused on one goal - being the best space company in the world! And being a Kiwi company, there's no cultural hang ups on who you can or can't talk to - everyone is happy to explain what they're doing, show you how something works, or even grab a coffee and explain the theory behind something. The people at Rocket Lab are the core of the business, and in my experience, you won't find a better bunch anywhere else!
The variety of projects to be involved with is ever expanding; from Electron and Neutron, the rockets, to Photon, the satellite bus, and the interplanetary missions to the Moon, Venus, Mars and beyond. Working with international leaders in their fields, you will learn skills and theory that take you to the pinnacle of the industry. My backgroud was not in aerospace, as are many of our new starters, yet with the mentoring, training, and on-the-job experience you gain working at Rocket Lab, you will rapidly fill the required knowledge gaps and, in my experience, have the best time learning it all! These days I'm proud to call myself an aerospace engineer, and that has been a direct result of working at Rocket Lab.
Also, last, but far from least, is the opportunity to be awarded significant company stock performance awards, which can make a life changing difference to your financial position. Now a public company, there is also a staff stock plan with attractive benefits so everyone can reap the rewards from the ongoing success of the company.
Cons
It's true the hours can be quite long at Rocket Lab, and I've certainly had my share of long days, weeks and launch campaigns. But in saying that, I've worked multiple jobs before with similar hours, so I don't believe the issue is specific to Rocket Lab - rather engineering and trade work in general. With the company maturing and growing, these days I average a 50 to 55-hour week, and while that might be "more than a 40-hour week" - it still enables me to maintain an effective work-life-balance. It is worth recognising though as it won't suit everyone.
