Propulsion Engineer, Internship

About the Role

Internship opportunity for a propulsion engineer to support engineering design, launch and test operations, and manufacturing.

Program Highlights

• Propulsion Integrated Design:
• Responsible for the design, analysis, and development of engine integration hardware.
• Includes primary and secondary structure, bellows, flex hoses, gimbals, manifolds, ducting, heatshield components, and custom fittings.
• Owns engine layout and packaging, translating 2D fluids schematics into 3D realities.
• Manages configuration, interfaces, mass properties, engine loads, and collaboration with partner teams.
• Involves mechanical design, thermal/structural analysis, prototyping, benchtop testing, and iterative design/analysis/test cycles.
• Turbomachinery:
• Designs and develops turbopumps for the Aeon Engine.
• Activities include building 1D throughflow and CFD models for fluid passages and rotating blading.
• Creating CAD models and performing structural analysis (from hand calculations to finite element analysis).
• Evaluating turbopump performance through test data review and resolving hardware issues during engine test campaigns.
• Combustion Devices:
• Designs and develops combustion devices for the Aeon Engine.
• Components operate under extreme temperatures and pressures.
• Cradle-to-grave ownership of hardware from design through manufacturing to test.
• Provides technical ownership at the component level, coordinating across disciplines and direct accountability for hardware decisions.
• Engine Systems & Test:
• Work spans simulation & software tools; system-level architecture, requirements, and interfaces; component & integrated system hotfire testing.
• Responsible Engineer for Aeon engine test articles.
• Developing test plans and executing them with the Stennis test team.
• Troubleshooting technical puzzles.
• Supporting engine system analysis and simulation, trade studies, and defining interfaces with other groups.

Key Responsibilities

• Support engineering design.
• Support launch and test operations.
• Support manufacturing.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Engineering Fundamentals: thermodynamics, thermal, structural, and/or fluids.
• Hands-on Experience: manufacturing, integrating, or testing hardware.
• Working Knowledge: liquid-propellant rocket engines.
• Software: design and analysis software.

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate or graduate student earning a degree in a science, engineering, technology, or mathematics field.
• Strong engineering fundamentals in either fluid mechanics & thermodynamics, or structural design & analysis.
• Clear evidence of ownership, problem-solving skills, and effective team collaboration from school or work experience.
• Excitement & ability to learn quickly.
• Must be currently enrolled at a university in the USA.
• Pursuing a major in: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Engineering, Packaging Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Safety, Supply Chain, Bioengineering, Industrial Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Construction Management, or Industrial and Systems Engineering.

Compensation

• $34–42 per hour.