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Aerospace Engineering Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... Aerospace Engineering. * Active Secret clearance. * Hands on mechanical design, maintenance, or operations experience acquired through previous employment, education, or internship. * Experience ...

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Aerospace Engineering Internship information

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How much do aerospace engineering internship jobs pay per hour?

As of May 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for aerospace engineering internship in the United States is $19.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $20.91 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Aerospace Engineering Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Aerospace Engineering Intern, you generally need a strong foundation in engineering principles, mathematics, and physics, typically supported by enrollment in or completion of a relevant engineering degree program. Familiarity with CAD software, MATLAB, and simulation tools, as well as exposure to industry standards like AS9100, is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication set standout interns apart. These skills and qualifications are crucial for contributing to complex projects, learning quickly, and collaborating effectively in a high-tech, safety-critical industry.

What types of projects or tasks can I expect to work on during an Aerospace Engineering Internship?

As an Aerospace Engineering Intern, you may be involved in a variety of hands-on and analytical projects, such as assisting with the design and testing of aircraft or spacecraft components, performing simulations, or supporting wind tunnel experiments. Interns often collaborate closely with engineers from different specialties, gaining exposure to multidisciplinary teams and real-world problem-solving. You can also expect to contribute to technical documentation and attend team meetings, giving you insight into both the technical and collaborative aspects of aerospace projects.

What is an Aerospace Engineering Internship?

An Aerospace Engineering Internship is a temporary position that allows students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in the aerospace industry. Interns typically work with experienced engineers on projects related to the design, development, testing, or maintenance of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, or related systems. These internships provide valuable industry exposure, practical skills, and networking opportunities that can enhance future career prospects. Interns may work for aerospace companies, government agencies, or research organizations and often participate in both technical and team-based assignments.

What is the difference between Aerospace Engineering Internship vs Aerospace Engineer?

AspectAerospace Engineering InternshipAerospace Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate of a bachelor's or master's in aerospace or related fieldBachelor's or higher degree in aerospace engineering or related field, often with professional licensure
Work EnvironmentInternship programs in aerospace companies, labs, or research centersFull-time roles in aerospace manufacturing, design, testing, or research facilities
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by students and entry-level candidates to gain experience in aerospace industryFull-time professionals working on aircraft, spacecraft, or missile systems

In summary, an Aerospace Engineering Internship is a temporary, entry-level position designed for students or recent graduates to gain industry experience, while an Aerospace Engineer is a full-time professional responsible for designing, testing, and developing aerospace systems. Internships serve as a stepping stone toward becoming a licensed aerospace engineer.

More about Aerospace Engineering Internship jobs
What cities are hiring for Aerospace Engineering Internship jobs? Cities with the most Aerospace Engineering Internship job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Aerospace Engineering jobs? The most popular types of Aerospace Engineering jobs are:
What states have the most Aerospace Engineering Internship jobs? States with the most job openings for Aerospace Engineering Internship jobs include:
Infographic showing various Aerospace Engineering Internship job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% Internship, 1% As Needed, 37% Full Time, 32% Part Time, and 23% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,174 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

Propulsion Engineering Internship - Fall 2026

Varda Space Industries

El Segundo, CA

$33/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

About Varda
Low Earth orbit is open for business. Varda is accelerating the development of commercial space infrastructure, from in-orbit pharmaceutical processing to reliable and economical reentry capsules.
From life-saving pharmaceuticals to more powerful fiber optics, there is a world of products used on Earth today that can only be manufactured in space. Varda is accelerating innovation in the orbital economy by creating both the products and infrastructure needed so space can directly benefit life on Earth. Our mission is to expand the economic bounds of humankind.
Our team is uniquely suited to accomplishing this goal, with leadership and staff comprised of veterans from SpaceX, Blue Origin, major pharmaceutical companies and Silicon Valley. Varda was founded in January 2021 by Will Bruey and Delian Asparouhov with significant backing from world class investors including Khosla Ventures, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and Also Capital.
Varda is headquartered in El Segundo, California, where we have offices and a production facility where our vehicles, equipment, and materials are built, integrated, and tested. Varda also has offices in Washington, DC and Huntsville, AL.
Join Varda, and work to create a bustling in-space ecosystem.
About This Role
Fall internships will range between the months of August and December. All dates dependent upon the university schedule of the selected students. Internships are full-time and on-site in Los Angeles, CA. To be considered for this internship, candidates must be actively enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program.
The propulsion team is responsible for fluid systems on the vehicle required to complete spacecraft orbital maneuvers and earth reentry. This includes thrusters for primary maneuvers and attitude control, propellant tanks, and all associated plumbing and fluid components on the spacecraft. This system is completely designed, analyzed, fabricated, and tested in house which enables successful candidates exposure across all aspects of the design and manufacturing lifecycle of a space vehicle system.
Internships at Varda are optimal for students looking to grow technically and professionally while working on impactful projects critical to the company's success. You will be working on a collaborative team in a startup environment while being able to learn from some of most accomplished and experienced aerospace professionals in the world. We're dedicated to providing an experience that will let your decisions and contributions help drive Varda's success.
Responsibilities
  • Own or contribute to hardware or software design to support development of Spacecraft or payload
  • Create or support test campaigns and build test stands
  • Perform necessary analysis to support development and testing
Basic Qualifications
  • Must have completed some Engineering coursework relevant to Propulsion, including but not limited to:
    • At least one of:
      • Fluid Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
      • Heat Transfer
      • Compressible Flow
      • Combustion
  • Pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited college or university in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineer, or Electrical Engineering (or similar engineering degrees)
  • Familiarity with engineering design software and principles (NX/Teamcenter, GD&T, Matlab/Python, and analysis packages)
  • Strong fundamentals in fluids engineering
  • Prior hands-on experience building or testing fluid systems
  • Familiarity with safe operation of combustion devices, rocket propellants, and pressurized systems
  • Familiarity or exposure to high precision manufacturing environments
Preferred Skills And Experience
  • Previous internship or co-op experience
  • Previous experience on technical project teams (i.e. Rocket club, formula SAE, etc.)
  • Completion of a Propulsion or Rocket Propulsion survey course
Projects You May Work On
Intern projects will be tailored to company needs and student skillsets closer to the start date. Typical projects include:
  • Hotfire test facility propellant system design
  • Component test bench design
  • Automated data reduction software
  • Valve qualification test program development and execution
  • Bus Ground Fluids Equipment design
Compensation
  • Hourly Rate: $33.00
  • Housing stipend for interns relocating to the area
  • Commuter benefit to support local transportation

ITAR Requirements
  • Varda, like all employers, must ensure that its employees working in the United States are lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Additionally, our employees are exposed to and have access to certain export-controlled items. At present, some of our technology to which employees have access requires a license to be exported to individuals other than "U.S. Persons" as defined in U.S. export regulations. Because our employees are provided access to export-controlled items, our current policy is to only hire "U.S. persons" who are permitted to have access to our technology without an export license.
    "US person" means: U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) (i.e., individual admitted to the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum in the U.S.)
    Learn more about the ITAR here.
Benefits
  • Exciting team of professionals at the top of their field working by your side
  • Equity in a fully funded space startup with potential for significant growth (interns excluded)
  • 401(k) matching (interns excluded)
  • Unlimited PTO (interns excluded)
  • Health insurance, including Vision and Dental
  • Lunch and snacks provided on site every day. Dinners provided twice a week.
  • Maternity / Paternity leave (interns excluded)

Varda Space Industries is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, martial status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.
E-Verify Statement
Varda Space Industries, Inc. participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security E-Verify program. The E-Verify program is an Internet-based employment eligibility verification system operated by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
E-Verify Notice Right To Work Notice
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