Summer 2027 Graduate Engineer Internship/Co-op

About the role

You will conceive, prototype, and validate innovative engineering solutions that directly address critical challenges in space exploration and operations. This role grants you substantial ownership over project deliverables, treating your contributions as essential to the team as those of a full-time engineer. You will challenge conventional thinking while applying advanced theoretical knowledge to tangible aerospace problems in a fast-paced environment. Expect to iterate quickly, communicate technical ideas clearly, and see your work progress from design concepts to flight hardware or mission operations. Your efforts will support SpaceX's mission of enabling human life on Mars and expanding the scope of what is possible beyond Earth. You will collaborate across disciplines to solve complex, multi-faceted problems that impact the entire company. This internship is designed for individuals who thrive in demanding, high-stakes environments where creativity and rigor are equally valued.

Key facts

What you'll do

Investigate emerging concepts and perform detailed analysis to refine system architectures for spacecraft and launch vehicles.

Develop and test prototypes, models, and experiments that validate designs and uncover performance insights under realistic conditions.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to define test objectives, execute test campaigns, and interpret results to guide design decisions.

Support the development and execution of manufacturing processes that improve reliability, reduce risk, and enhance producibility.

Analyze mission data and operational feedback to identify anomalies, trends, and opportunities for optimization in flight and ground systems.

Create and maintain technical documentation, including design rationales, test reports, and integration procedures that ensure clarity and traceability.

Apply modeling and simulation tools to predict system behavior, assess trade-offs, and support rapid decision-making in engineering workflows.

Partner with test engineers and operations staff to troubleshoot issues, implement corrective actions, and verify that solutions meet stringent requirements.

Evaluate component and subsystem performance using measurements and diagnostics to ensure compliance with program standards and objectives.

Contribute to end-to-end planning for missions, tests, and demonstrations, aligning objectives with schedule, risk, and resource constraints.

Assist in the preparation of presentations, briefings, and technical memos that communicate progress and recommendations to both technical and executive audiences.

Support the integration of hardware and software elements within complex aerospace systems to ensure seamless functionality.

Explore opportunities to incorporate automation and data-driven methods that improve testing, manufacturing, and operational efficiency.

Engage in continuous learning activities, including attending technical talks, workshops, and training sessions delivered by SpaceX leadership and industry experts.

Demonstrate ownership of assigned deliverables, proactively managing tasks and timelines to meet demanding project milestones.

Requirements

You must be enrolled in a graduate program by the start of employment and hold a bachelor's degree in an engineering, physics, or math discipline.

You must have at least 6 months of applied engineering experience through internships, laboratory work, or personal and team project activities.

You must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158.

You must be able to work full time, onsite for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks beginning in May or June 2027.

You must provide your own transportation for positions at Brownsville, Cape Canaveral, McGregor, and Vandenberg locations.

You must maintain strong academic performance and demonstrate motivation to apply your knowledge outside the classroom in practical settings.

You must work effectively within an integrated collaborative team environment, interacting frequently with technicians, other engineers, and managers.

You must thrive in a dynamic professional setting where requirements evolve and adaptability is essential for success.

Nice to have

GPA of 3.5 or above.

9+ months of experience applying technical skills outside of the classroom, such as laboratory work, research, extracurricular project teams, volunteering, personal projects, or prior internship or work experience.

Ability to work well in an integrated collaborative team environment, including frequent interactions with technicians, other engineers, and managers.

Ability to work effectively in a dynamic professional setting with changing needs and requirements.

Practical notes

Internships are available with a variety of engineering teams across the company including design, manufacturing and operations at Bastrop, TX; Bloomfield, CT, Brownsville, TX; Cape Canaveral, FL; Hawthorne (Los Angeles), CA; Irvine, CA; Long Beach, CA, McGregor (Waco), TX; Palo Alto, CA; Redmond (Seattle), WA; Vandenberg, CA; and Woodinville, WA.

You must be able to provide own transportation for positions at Brownsville, Cape Canaveral, McGregor and Vandenberg locations.

You must be available for a full-time, onsite engagement lasting a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks beginning in May or June 2027.

Interns are eligible for paid company holidays. SpaceX offers 10 or more paid holidays per year.