Mechanical Engineer Summer Internship Jobs in Reston, VA

Veraxx Engineering Corporation, a By Light Company is an engineering services company supplying modeling, simulation, and training solutions.  Services include hardware, software, and system engineering, requirements assessments, system development, integration, testing, documentation, and customer support services. Veraxx has a high level of expertise in flight simulation hardware and software development, as well as computer architecture, tactical environments, interoperability (HLA/DIS), avionics systems, graphics and real-time embedded systems. 

By Light is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support the design, development, and integration of flight simulation and training systems across multiple programs. Assignments will vary based on program needs and may involve new system development, upgrades to existing trainers, and integration of mechanical and electronic hardware.

This position is ideal for a recent graduate or early-career engineer who enjoys hands-on design, learning from experienced engineers, and working with multidisciplinary teams. The role provides opportunities to develop skills in mechanical design, equipment mounting, interface definition, prototyping, documentation, and system integration.

• Support the mechanical design of flight simulation and training systems, including  structures, equipment mounts, control interfaces, and cable-routing features.
• Assist with defining mechanical interfaces, alignment requirements, and integration constraints across a variety of simulator and training-system platforms.
• Prepare design materials and support Systems Engineering Technical Reviews (SETRs), including SRR, PDR, and CDR, under the guidance of senior engineers.
• Design and integrate cockpit hardware, flight controls, visual systems, and mixed reality (MR) equipment, including mounts, sensors, and cable routing.
• Collaborate with systems, software, electrical, and manufacturing teams during design, integration, testing, and subsystem acceptance.
• Develop and revise 3D CAD models, assemblies, drawings, and fabrication documentation using Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD.
• Support rapid prototyping and development using in-house 3D printing and other fabrication methods.
• Participate in mechanical verification and validation activities, including fit, form, function, and basic failure mode assessments.

• 0-3 years of relevant mechanical engineering experience; internships, co-op assignments, senior design projects, and other hands-on project experience are valued.
• BS in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Foundational understanding of mechanical design principles, including materials, tolerancing, structural design, and manufacturing methods.
• Working knowledge of 3D CAD software; Autodesk Inventor experience is preferred, and SolidWorks or similar CAD experience is acceptable.
• Ability to create and interpret mechanical drawings, assemblies, and technical documentation.
• Hands-on interest in prototyping, fabrication, assembly, troubleshooting, or 3D printing.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, organization, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to manage assigned tasks, respond to feedback, and support multiple projects in a collaborative engineering environment.

• Internship, co-op, academic, or project experience involving mechanical design, complex electromechanical systems, or system integration.
• Exposure to flight simulation, aerospace, defense, robotics, or other high-reliability systems.
• Experience integrating computer, electronic, sensor, or control hardware into mechanical assemblies.
• Familiarity with configuration management, revision-controlled CAD data, or product lifecycle management tools.
• Awareness of ergonomic, safety, MIL-STD, or size, weight, and power (SWaP) design considerations.

• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance

Salary Minimum: $65,000

Salary Maximum: $85,000

The annual base salary provided is a guideline for this position and is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. When extending an offer, By Light also considers other variables such as (but not limited to) work experience, education, training, skill set, internal peer equity, clearance level, and market conditions. In addition, By Light provides an extensive selection of benefits and offerings to our employees.