Launching Your Career: A Guide to Space Engineering Internships
Space engineering is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field, offering exciting opportunities for students and aspiring professionals. Internships provide invaluable real-world experience, allowing students to apply their academic knowledge, develop practical skills, and network with industry leaders. This article explores various space engineering internship opportunities, highlighting the experiences and benefits they offer.
The Aerospace Corporation: Shaping Critical Missions
Internships at The Aerospace Corporation provide students with exciting opportunities to collaborate with leading scientists and engineers. Interns contribute to the advancement of emerging technologies that shape and protect critical missions on Earth and beyond. They gain real-world experience and take responsibility for meaningful projects, whether they are interested in engineering, research, cloud computing, or accounting. The Aerospace Corporation offers challenging roles across all disciplines, fostering a team of innovators, dreamers, engineers, designers, cybersecurity experts, and technologists.
Key Highlights:
- Work side-by-side with industry-leading scientists and engineers.
- Contribute to critical missions on Earth and in space.
- Gain real-world experience and take responsibility for impactful projects.
- Opportunities in various disciplines, including engineering, research, and cybersecurity.
- Locations in El Segundo, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Chantilly, VA; Albuquerque, NM.
- Target Audience: Rising Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate Students; Limited Number of Opportunities for High School Students
Meagan Roth, Sr. at The Aerospace Corporation: “You miss all the shots you don’t take. If this is something that interests you, then apply. Being a dedicated, driven team player can carry you far. You can learn about rockets, it’s much harder to learn dedication and passion.”
Boeing: A World of Opportunities in Aerospace
Boeing offers a wide range of internships in engineering, business, information technology, and data analytics. Interns have the chance to work on cutting-edge projects, contributing to the development of aircraft, satellites, and cyber solutions. Boeing is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment, providing opportunities for professional growth.
Key Highlights:
- Work on projects related to aircraft, satellites, and cyber solutions.
- Contribute to the development of world-class autonomous robotic systems for space, terrestrial, and underwater hardware.
- Develop electronic and electrical systems for Boeing aircraft.
- Support critical business decisions and cutting-edge solutions.
- Ensure that next-generation commercial and defense products and systems meet the highest standards.
- Your code will power products that defy gravity and fly faster than the speed of sound.
- Various locations globally.
- Target Audience: Undergraduate and Graduate Students Pursuing Degrees in Engineering, Business, or Information Technology & Data Analytics
Employee Stories:
- Suellen: Achieved her dream to become a Boeing engineer.
- Emily: Completed rotations in four business units and worked on the cargo air vehicle program.
- Angelie: Has been with Boeing for 12 years and was diagnosed with autism.
- Anna Guthrie: A product security engineer who builds resilient technologies to protect against cyberattacks.
- Tresha Lacaux: Vice president who landed her dream internship at Boeing.
- Teresa: A product engineer and inventor with multiple patents.
- Bo: Designs and develops software and hardware that supports the Wedgetail's missions.
- Nelson: A material and process engineer who earned his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in engineering.
- Jesus Sanchez: A power machine operator in Auburn, Wash.
- Sandra Lankford: Leaned on Boeing's caregiver benefits for support.
- Rayni: Project manager for Ground-based Midcourse Defense.
- Ronak: A Boeing India teammate who’s used tuition assistance to grow his career.
- Jenna: Has a career path that has been anything but traditional.
- Tristan: Helps his team create experimental hardware designs for propulsion applications.
- Adrian: Supports the efficiency and reliability of 777X wing structures through innovative design solutions.
- Mya: Contributes to safety and certification standards for Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
- Doan: Learned about Boeing from engineers around the world.
Lockheed Martin: Innovation and Real-World Impact
Lockheed Martin's engineering internships offer a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of innovation and technology. Interns engage in real-world projects that push the boundaries of aerospace, defense, and security. By collaborating with leading experts and working with advanced technologies, you'll gain invaluable hands-on experience. These internships are designed to challenge and inspire, setting the foundation for a successful engineering career while contributing to solutions that make a global impact.
Read also: Launch Your Career at ABL Space
Key Highlights:
- Engage in real-world projects in aerospace, defense, and security.
- Collaborate with leading experts and work with advanced technologies.
- Gain invaluable hands-on experience.
- Contribute to solutions that make a global impact.
- Various locations.
- Target Audience: Undergraduate and Graduate Students
NASA: Exploring the Extraordinary
NASA internships offer students the chance to impact the agency's mission through hands-on experience. Interns work side-by-side with research scientists, engineers, and other professionals on projects related to space exploration. NASA offers internships for both STEM and non-STEM majors, providing opportunities in human resources, administration, program analysis, accounting, communication, IT, and more.
Key Highlights:
- Work on projects related to space exploration and NASA's mission.
- Opportunities for STEM and non-STEM majors.
- Gain practical work experience and build your resume.
- Locations at NASA Field Centers.
- Target Audience: High School (age 16+), Undergraduate and Graduate Students
Former Intern Success Stories:
- Aaron Yazzie: A former intern at JPL, inspires a new generation of Diné scientists and engineers.
- Clare Luckey: Was selected as one of Forbes’ 30 under 30 and helps plan how the first astronauts will land on Mars.
- Vivian Li: Remotely operates NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover.
Sierra Space: Building the Future of Space
Sierra Space's co-op and internship programs offer students the chance to develop technical skills in design, testing, manufacturing, and integration. Interns contribute to advancements in propulsion technologies and work on cutting-edge programs. The company fosters a supportive environment that is conducive to learning and growth.
Key Highlights:
- Develop technical skills in design, testing, manufacturing, and integration.
- Contribute to advancements in propulsion technologies.
- Work on cutting-edge programs like Dream Chaser and the Orbital Reef Space Station.
- Locations in Louisville, CO; Centennial, CO; Madison, WI; Durham, NC.
Intern Testimonials:
- Alexander Du (Mechanical Engineering Intern): "Working at Sierra Space has been a pivotal and exhilarating experience in my career… The Madison team and other professionals across the company have been incredibly supportive, fostering an environment that is conducive to learning and growth."
- Sebastian Boysen (Mechanical Engineering Intern): "My time interning at Sierra Space has been incredibly informative and exciting… This experience has driven me to become more passionate and excited about space and the opportunities for development ahead."
- Julia Gabennesch (GNC Engineering Intern): "The innovative environment at Sierra Space has allowed me to develop professional and technical skills that I will continue to use throughout my career."
- Terelle Cadd (Systems Engineer I): "As a test engineering intern at Sierra Space, I was consistently given ownership of important tasks which worked directly with flight hardware on the Dream Chaser spacecraft… My internship led directly to full-time employment with Sierra Space."
Firefly Aerospace: Making Space Attainable
Firefly Aerospace offers internships that allow students to have a direct impact on the company's successful trajectory into space. Interns work on meaningful projects and contribute to building launch vehicles and spacecraft. Firefly fosters a culture of innovation and dedication, encouraging team members to turn ambition into action.
Key Highlights:
- Have a direct impact on the company's trajectory into space.
- Work on meaningful projects related to launch vehicles and spacecraft.
- Contribute to making space attainable for everyone.
- Headquartered in the Lone Star State.
Other Internship Opportunities:
- Axiom Space: Offers engineering internships designed to expose students to multiple disciplines. Target Audience: Undergraduate or Graduate Students with At Least One Semester Remaining After Internship. Placement: Houston, TX
- Ball Aerospace: Provides summer internships with challenging projects, mentorship, and hands-on experience. Target Audience: University Juniors, Seniors and Graduate Students. Placement: Boulder, CO
- Blue Origin: Gives students the opportunity to work on real engineering projects related to the development, construction, and testing of human spaceflight systems. Target Audience: Undergraduate or Graduate Students with At Least One Semester Remaining After Internships. Placement: Blue Origin Locations: Kent, WA; Huntsville, AL; Merritt Island, FL; Van Horn, TX
- Northrop Grumman: Interns contribute from their first day on a wide range of projects. Target Audience: Undergraduate and Graduate Students. Placement: Various Northrop Grumman Locations
- Redwire Space: Provides hands-on work experience in innovative space technology.
Skills and Requirements
While specific requirements vary depending on the internship and company, some common skills and requirements include:
- Academic Background: Enrolled in a relevant undergraduate or graduate program, such as aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in relevant software and tools, such as CAD software, programming languages, and simulation software.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to analyze complex problems and develop innovative solutions.
- Teamwork and Communication Skills: Ability to work effectively in a team environment and communicate technical information clearly and concisely.
- GPA: A competitive GPA is often required.
- Eligibility: U.S. citizenship or permanent residency may be required for some internships, particularly those involving sensitive information or government contracts.
- Security Clearance: Some positions may require the ability to obtain a security clearance.
How to Find and Apply for Space Engineering Internships
- Online Job Boards: Utilize online job boards such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and Handshake to search for space engineering internships.
- Company Websites: Visit the career pages of aerospace companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, The Aerospace Corporation, NASA, Sierra Space, and Firefly Aerospace to find internship opportunities.
- University Career Services: Consult your university's career services department for internship listings and career advice.
- Networking: Attend industry events, career fairs, and conferences to network with professionals in the space engineering field.
Overcoming Common Misconceptions
A common misconception is that space engineering internships are only for science and engineering students. However, NASA and other organizations offer internships for students with a variety of knowledge and skills, including those in business, communications, and IT.
Read also: Discover UCF's Space Achievements
Read also: Building a Future Beyond Earth
tags: #space #engineering #internships
