Intern/Associate Engineer

About the role

Starpath is seeking Intern and Associate Engineer candidates to join our dynamic team. We offer a continuous application review process where strong profiles are screened as roles become available. This position provides early-career engineers with direct responsibility for hardware development and real ownership of technical work from the outset. You will define and complete a scoped project within a discipline team, applying CAD skills to produce high-standard engineering drawings. Your work will involve designing components, conducting analysis, executing test campaigns, and contributing to manufacturing improvements. Interns and Associates work alongside experienced professionals on challenging problems in space solar, lunar surface infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing operations. The role requires active participation in design reviews, presentation of project findings to internal audiences, and collaboration across multiple technical domains. You will build hands-on capabilities in fabrication, laboratory procedures, and practical construction methods while applying fundamental engineering principles.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Execute defined project tasks within your discipline team, taking ownership from initial setup through final documentation.
• Apply CAD skills to author high-standard engineering drawings that guide fabrication and assembly activities.
• Design mechanical components and structural elements, translating conceptual requirements into detailed specifications.
• Conduct engineering analysis to evaluate performance, durability, and feasibility under defined mission constraints.
• Plan and execute test campaigns that generate quantitative data to inform design decisions and validate models.
• Contribute to manufacturing process improvements that enhance reliability, repeatability, and production efficiency.
• Learn Starpath's engineering processes, tools, and technical stack under structured senior mentorship and iterative feedback.
• Participate actively in design reviews, clearly articulating methodology, results, and implications to internal stakeholders.
• Collaborate across mechanical, electrical, software, and chemistry domains to solve integrated system challenges.
• Build practical capabilities in fabrication, laboratory procedures, and construction methods using real engineering tools and equipment.
• Translate laboratory results into repeatable procedures that support scale-up for lunar and Martian surface applications.
• Support development of space solar, lunar surface infrastructure, and in-situ resource utilization technologies.
• Maintain precise measurement, documentation, and data management practices required for regulated environments.
• Engage in iterative refinement of materials, processes, and designs to meet performance and safety targets.

Requirements

Applicants for internship positions must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program in engineering, chemistry, materials science, physics, computer science, or related fields. You must be returning to your studies after the internship completion and be at least a rising junior or senior. Associate candidates should hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant engineering or science discipline, with a background that includes applicable internship or research experience. Demonstrated involvement in collegiate project teams or laboratory settings is essential, such as participation in Formula SAE, CubeSat, Robotics, Aero Design, IREC, Spaceport America Cup, Solar Car, or similar competitive programs. Proficiency in CAD software on any standard platform and the ability to generate precise engineering drawings are mandatory. You must demonstrate hands-on fabrication skills, competence with engineering fundamentals, and the capacity to work across disciplines including mechanical, electrical, software, and chemistry.

Nice to have

Experience with industry-standard software tools such as NX, Teamcenter, SolidWorks, or Onshape is valued, along with familiarity with analysis tools like FEA and CFD. Candidates with background in wet chemistry, materials characterization, embedded C for controls, machining, sheet metal work, 3D printing, laser cutting, PCB assembly, or similar fabrication techniques have distinct advantages. Prior internship experience, leadership on project teams, or deep knowledge in a specific technical discipline strengthens your application. Coursework or research related to space systems, chemistry, advanced materials, robotics, or manufacturing is also beneficial.

Practical notes

The role is based in Hawthorne, California, and operates as an internship position with potential for continuation. The work demands occasional travel and requires U.S. citizenship or specific legal authorization due to export-controlled data access requirements. This role involves working with sensitive technology and controlled data. To meet U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be U.S. citizens, national residents, refugees, or asylees eligible for required authorizations.

About Starpath.Space

We are a team in Hawthorne building thin-film photovoltaic materials for space and ground applications. In this role, you will work on deposition, characterization, and process optimization to improve cell performance and manufacturability. You will collaborate with engineers and scientists to translate laboratory results into repeatable production. The work emphasizes precise measurement, documentation, and iterative refinement of materials and methods.