Summer 2027 Engineering Internship/Co-op

About the role

This internship places you at the center of active vehicle development where your contributions will directly support critical design, test, and operational activities. You will own specific analysis, modeling, and validation tasks that inform key engineering decisions and help refine system-level requirements under realistic project constraints. Working alongside experienced mentors, you will translate classroom theory into practical solutions that advance the reliability and performance of spacecraft and launch systems. You will document your work, communicate results clearly, and participate in design reviews where your findings influence the technical direction of the program. The role emphasizes disciplined problem-solving, data-driven decisions, and continuous improvement in both individual and team outputs. You will also engage in cross-functional collaboration, ensuring your work aligns with manufacturing, operations, and mission needs. Through this experience, you will build a professional portfolio of engineering work while contributing to missions that expand humanity's presence beyond Earth.

Key facts

What you'll do

Perform detailed engineering analysis using first principles to evaluate vehicle performance and guide design trade studies for Dragon, Falcon, and Starship systems.

Support the development and execution of test plans, collect and interpret test data, and document findings that validate models and inform design updates.

Implement and maintain simulation and modeling tools that support system-level assessments, mission planning, and engineering decision-making.

Assist in the creation and review of technical documentation, including design specifications, test reports, and operational procedures.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to evaluate manufacturing processes, identify improvements, and support production readiness activities.

Monitor and interpret system-level performance metrics, contributing to root cause analysis and corrective action development when anomalies occur.

Support the integration of hardware and software components, verifying functionality through bench and field testing where applicable.

Apply structured problem-solving methods to address evolving requirements and constraints while maintaining traceability of decisions and assumptions.

Contribute to risk assessments and failure mode analyses, helping the team understand implications and prioritize mitigation actions.

Participate in design reviews, meetings, and stakeholder communications, presenting technical information clearly and responding to constructive feedback.

Assist in the development and maintenance of tools, templates, and workflows that improve team efficiency and data integrity.

Support compliance and quality efforts by maintaining records, following procedures, and implementing best practices in engineering workflows.

Help prepare visual aids and concise summaries of technical work for internal and external audiences, including leadership and partner organizations.

Take ownership of assigned tasks, demonstrating initiative in seeking clarification, meeting deadlines, and following through with commitments.

Engage in continuous learning by applying new methods, tools, and standards encountered across engineering disciplines during the internship period.

Requirements

Must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in an engineering, physics or math discipline by the start of employment.

Must have 3+ months of applied engineering experience, including internship, laboratory, and personal or team project experience.

Applicant for this intern position must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (e.g., green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.

S.

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

Must provide own transportation for positions at Brownsville, Cape Canaveral, McGregor and Vandenberg locations.

Demonstrated commitment to academic success and motivation to apply knowledge outside of the classroom through relevant projects or activities.

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

Ability to work productively in a dynamic professional setting characterized by changing priorities, evolving requirements, and fast-paced problem-solving.

Nice to have

GPA of 3.5 or above.

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

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.

Paid company holidays include 10 or more days per year.

Program is open to students who meet the basic qualifications and are able to start in May or June 2027.

Participants will receive opportunities to attend presentations from company leaders, engage in social and networking events, and take part in professional and personal development trainings.

You may be eligible for a stipend to subsidize relocation costs, as well as access to comprehensive medical coverage and a 401(k) retirement plan.

The listed compensation ranges are approximate and may vary based on location and other factors.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of any applicable onboarding, background check, and security authorization requirements.