Avionics Mechanical Engineering Intern (summer 2026)

Avionics Mechanical Engineering Intern (Summer 2026)

As an Avionics Mechanical Engineering Intern your core responsibility will be to design, manufacture, and test the mechanical elements of spacecraft avionics. You will work closely with electrical, propulsion, GNC, and vehicle structures engineers to execute on architectures and products that maximize overall vehicle performance.

This internship will run from May to August 2026.

Responsibilities

Evaluate requirements, develop mechanical design, generate drawings for various avionics systems and devices

Conduct design reviews to gain cross-disciplinary consensus on design validity

Design products for ease of manufacture, and work with suppliers to get parts fabricated

Perform hand calculations and FEA to predict system performance

Analyze structural modes, thermal performance, and other critical aspects of avionics devices

Develop and document efficient build processes, work with technicians to improve instructions

Minimum Qualifications

Currently enrolled in a bachelor's or master's program in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field

Experience designing mechanical components in CAD software

Understanding of static loads and methods of heat transfer

Understanding of fabrication methods, such as CNC milling and 3D printing

Familiarity working hands-on with basic mechanical tools

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and learn new skills

Ability to communicate technical challenges, explain rationale and/or resolve concerns

Preferred Skills and Experience

Experience using NX and Ansys Mechanical

Understanding of EMI shielding design

Understanding of the basics of vibrations and associated analysis

Experience working on a team with a mix of mechanical and electrical engineers

Experience with optomechanical design for imaging systems

Additional Requirements: Willing and able to work on-site in Redondo Beach, CA for the duration of the internship

This position may require overtime hours; interns are eligible for overtime pay.

Additional Information: Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan. To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

About Impulse Space

Impulse Space, the in-space transportation company founded by Tom Mueller, is opening access beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with its fleet of in-space transportation vehicles. The high-energy Helios vehicle unlocks orbits beyond LEO with its powerful Deneb engine, dropping off payloads in MEO, GEO, heliocentric, lunar, and other planetary orbits. The flight-proven Mira vehicle uses a nontoxic, high-impulse chemical propulsion system to offer orbital transport, constellation deployment, and precision reentry services to customers throughout LEO. Led by a team that delivered the most reliable rockets in history, Impulse provides economical and efficient in-space transportation by reliably and rapidly getting customers where they want to go.