Propulsion Engineer Internship

About the Role

We are looking for a Propulsion Engineer Intern 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, including primary and secondary structure, bellows, flex hoses, gimbals, manifolds, ducting, heatshield components, and custom fittings. This role involves engine layout and packaging, managing configuration, interfaces, mass properties, engine loads, and collaboration with partner teams through assembly and test.
• 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, performing structural analysis (from hand calculations to finite element analysis), and evaluating turbopump performance through test data review and issue resolution.
• Combustion Devices: Designs and develops combustion devices for the Aeon Engine. These components operate under extreme temperatures and pressures. This role involves cradle-to-grave ownership from design through manufacturing to test, with technical ownership at the component level and accountability for hardware decisions.
• Engine Systems & Test: Supports simulation & software tools; system-level architecture, requirements, and interfaces; and component & integrated system hotfire testing. The role includes serving as a Responsible Engineer for Aeon engine test articles, developing test plans, executing them, and troubleshooting technical puzzles. May also support engine system analysis, simulation, and trade studies.

Key Responsibilities

• Support engineering design, launch and test operations, and manufacturing.
• Contribute to the design, analysis, and development of propulsion system components.
• Create CAD models and perform structural analysis.
• Develop test plans and execute hotfire testing.
• Troubleshoot technical issues during engine testing.
• Coordinate across disciplines and take accountability for hardware decisions.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Experience applying engineering fundamentals in thermodynamics, thermal, structural, and/or fluids to solve real-world problems.
• Hands-on experience manufacturing, integrating, or testing hardware.
• Working knowledge of liquid-propellant rocket engines.
• Experience with 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 and ability to learn quickly.
• 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.