Finite Element Internship Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Xona is the navigational intelligence company bringing real-time, centimeter-level certainty to any device, anywhere on Earth.

With Pulsar - the world's most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure in Low Earth Orbit - Xona will offer a future-proof, backwards-compatible global positioning system optimized for absolute precision, superior power, and robust protection.

As a Structural Analyst on Xona's Mechanical and Thermal team, you'll own the structural analysis, sizing, and verification of spacecraft hardware from early concept development through qualification testing and production release. From detailed component breakout models to full system models, your work will ensure the mechanical designs meet the strength, stiffness, and performance requirements needed to deliver Xona's high-accuracy and high-precision PNT service.

This is a high-ownership, fast-moving role with significant responsibility for progressing designs forward on schedule, writing clear documentation, and supporting hands‑on test operations. Success in this role requires operating with a high degree of ownership, collaborating across disciplines, anticipating challenges before they arise, and driving work forward with minimal oversight.

• Perform structural analyses of aerospace components and assemblies using finite element analysis (FEA) and classical hand calculations

• Support the design and optimization of primary and secondary structures for strength, stiffness, fatigue, and stability requirements

• Develop, refine, and validate finite element models for metallic and composite structures

• Evaluate structural performance under static, dynamic, thermal, vibration, and launch or flight loading conditions

• Develop structural analysis plans, reports, and verification documentation to support design reviews and flight qualification.

• Support design reviews by communicating analytical results, assumptions, margins, and recommendations to multidisciplinary engineering teams.

• Work closely with design, manufacturing, test, and systems engineers to improve structural performance while meeting mass, cost, and schedule targets

• Interpret test data and correlate analytical models with experimental results

• Support root‑cause investigations and structural assessments for hardware anomalies and test failures

• BS or MS in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

• 1+ years of structural analysis experience (or equivalent internship, research, or university project experience)

• Proficiency with finite element analysis software (Femap/Nastran preferred)

• Experience developing finite element models and applying analytical methods to support structural design decisions

• Demonstrated understanding of structural sizing and designing for minimum mass while maintaining adequate strength and stiffness margins

• Experience performing strength assessments for metallic structures and mechanical joints

• Demonstrated ability to independently drive technical work, solve engineering problems, and communicate effectively in a fast‑paced, multidisciplinary environment

• Willing and able to travel to support off‑site testing as needed

• Hands‑on experience developing, building, and testing spacecraft hardware, including ownership from initial design through qualification and production handoff.

• Experience supporting engineering trade studies involving structural architecture, material selection, composites, mass optimization, manufacturability, and cost.

• Experience supporting spacecraft structural verification, including environmental testing (quasi‑static, random vibration, sine vibration, acoustic, shock), test planning, sensor selection, force limiting, and test execution.

• Experience correlating finite element models with structural test data.

• Ability to review and work directly with CAD geometry (SolidWorks preferred).

• Experience developing analysis automation tools using the Femap API, Python, MATLAB, or similar scripting languages.

• Experience or interest in thermal analysis and collaborating closely with thermal engineers.

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States (i.e. Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

To comply with U.K. regulations, this role requires Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks, and successful candidates must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).

Successful candidates must obtain and hold a security clearance at the reliability status level, and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.