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How much do skunkworks jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for skunkworks in the United States is $109,393.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a skunkworks?

A Skunkworks job typically refers to working on a highly secretive or innovative project within a company, often with a small, autonomous team. These projects aim to develop breakthrough technologies or products outside the constraints of standard corporate processes. Skunkworks teams prioritize speed, agility, and creative problem-solving to push the boundaries of what is possible. The term originates from Lockheed Martin’s advanced development programs and has since been adopted across various industries.

What are the unique challenges and expectations when working on a skunkworks team?

Working on a Skunkworks team typically involves tackling highly confidential, high-impact projects with tight deadlines and shifting priorities, often requiring flexibility and resilience. You will be expected to work in a small, cross-functional group of experts who collaborate intensively to rapidly design, prototype, and iterate solutions. The work environment is usually dynamic and somewhat unconventional, with a strong emphasis on creativity, speed, and results over rigid process. This setting provides unique opportunities to shape industry-leading innovations, but also demands comfort with ambiguity and a willingness to challenge existing norms.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the skunkworks position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Skunkworks role, you need advanced technical expertise in engineering or product development, a track record of innovative problem-solving, and experience managing confidential or experimental projects. Familiarity with rapid prototyping tools, CAD software, project management systems, and sometimes specialized security clearances is common. Strong collaboration, adaptability, and creative thinking are crucial soft skills for navigating ambiguity and complex challenges. These capabilities enable effective progress on breakthrough projects in high-stakes, fast-paced environments where pioneering solutions are developed under tight deadlines.

What are the requirements to work at Skunkworks?

To work at Skunkworks, candidates typically need a strong background in engineering, science, or technology, along with relevant experience in research and development. Security clearances and the ability to work in classified or confidential environments are often required, as well as proficiency with specialized tools and a high level of innovation and problem-solving skills.
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Skunkworks jobs near you
Infographic showing various Skunkworks job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $109,393 per year, or $52.6 per hour.

Skunkwerks Engineering Intern - Fall 2026 | LiquidPiston

Suffield, CT • On-site

LiquidPiston, Inc.
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about LiquidPiston, Inc.external

$16.25 - $21.25/hr

Full-time, Internship

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Skunkwerks Engineering Intern - Fall 2026 | LiquidPiston
Location: Suffield, CT
Employment Type: Full-Time Internship | Fall 2026
Compensation: Paid Internship
Schedule: Onsite, Monday-Friday
About LiquidPiston
LiquidPiston is reinventing the internal combustion engine through its patented X-Engine rotary architecture and High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle (HEHC). Our compact, high-performance engines are being developed for applications across defense, aerospace, UAVs, hybrid-electric propulsion, and portable power.
We are a small, highly technical engineering team working on technology that is still evolving. That means interns have the opportunity to work much closer to the actual engineering process than they typically would at a large company.
The Skunkworks Team
LiquidPiston's Skunkworks team works on some of the company's most challenging and fast-moving engineering problems.
As a Skunkworks Engineering Intern, you won't spend the semester watching from the sidelines or working exclusively on theoretical projects. You'll work alongside experienced engineers and technicians to help design, build, test, troubleshoot, and improve real hardware.
Projects can change quickly based on what testing reveals. One day you may be working in CAD, the next you may be helping investigate a failed component, supporting a prototype build, analyzing test data, or developing a design improvement.
The work requires curiosity, adaptability, attention to detail, and a willingness to get hands-on.
What You'll Do
Depending on your skills and the needs of the team, you may:
  • Support the design and development of rotary engine components and subsystems.
  • Create and modify CAD models and engineering drawings.
  • Assist with prototype builds, engine assembly, and component integration.
  • Support testing and help investigate unexpected engine or component behavior.
  • Analyze test data and use results to inform design changes.
  • Assist with FEA, thermal analysis, or other engineering analyses.
  • Work with engineers and technicians to troubleshoot hardware and identify root causes.
  • Support design reviews and communicate engineering findings to the team.
  • Help evaluate manufacturing methods, tolerances, materials, and component designs.
  • Participate in iterative development - design, build, test, learn, and improve.
  • Take on engineering problems that may not have an obvious answer and help determine the path forward.
Qualifications
  • Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
  • Completion of relevant engineering coursework in areas such as mechanics, thermodynamics, materials, machine design, fluid mechanics, or heat transfer.
  • Experience with or coursework involving 3D CAD; SolidWorks is preferred.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Comfortable working with both computers and physical hardware.
  • Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn from hands-on work.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative engineering environment.
  • Ability to manage changing priorities and work on multiple engineering problems.
  • Must be available to work onsite in Suffield, CT, Monday-Friday during the Fall 2026 semester.
  • Must be a U.S. Person due to ITAR requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Previous internship, co-op, research, or project experience involving mechanical or aerospace engineering.
  • Experience with SolidWorks Simulation or other FEA tools.
  • Experience with machining, fabrication, or prototype assembly.
  • Familiarity with GD&T.
  • Experience collecting or analyzing engineering test data.
  • Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.
  • Experience with engines, propulsion systems, automotive systems, UAVs, or other mechanical systems.
  • Formula SAE, Baja SAE, rocketry, robotics, or other hands-on engineering project experience.
Our Culture
At LiquidPiston, we challenge convention and solve hard problems. We move fast, think boldly, and iterate quickly. Our team thrives on collaboration, creativity, and resilience. We take calculated risks and believe that every setback is a steppingstone toward breakthrough innovation.
Equal Opportunity Employer
LiquidPiston, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
All offers of employment at LiquidPiston are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check, drug screening and credit check.

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