Propulsion Engineering Intern (Spring or Fall Co-op 2025)

Sierra Space Careers: Dare to Dream

About the Role

We are looking for a highly motivated Propulsion Engineering Intern to join our dynamic team at Sierra Space. The intern will support various projects and initiatives related to propulsion systems, contributing to the design, analysis, and testing of advanced propulsion technologies. This position provides an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the aerospace industry and work alongside experienced engineers in a collaborative environment. Our Interns have the unique experience of getting both mentoring and coaching while working side by side with recognized industry experts on real-world assignments directly related to their field of study. Bring your knowledge and desire to learn, and we will provide the experience.

Co-op’s are full time, 40 hour a week commitments and span an entire semester and start the summer before (Fall Co-op) or extend into the summer after (Spring Co-op). Depending on satisfactory completion of certain criteria during your internship, you may be considered for a full-time position upon graduation.

During the Co-op, you'll ask questions, get involved, bring your ideas, be part of an actual project team, attend planning meetings, complete assignments as tasked by your team, absorb and learn from your team and apply that learning to projects assigned. You'll have the opportunity to learn fundamental business processes and procedures, build your technical foundation through practice and mentorship, and participate in an in-depth program built by our University Recruiting team, that includes cross-functional workshops and meeting with leadership to gain understanding of the business and our culture.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in the design and analysis of propulsion systems components and subsystems.

• Conduct simulations and testing to validate performance and reliability of propulsion technologies.

• Compile and analyze test data, prepare technical reports, and present findings to the engineering team.

• Support the development and maintenance of documentation, including schematics, specifications, and test procedures.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure integration of propulsion systems with other spacecraft systems.

• Participate in design reviews, providing input on propulsion system design and performance

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university

• Must have at least one academic term remaining after the completion of the internship

• Students must be a Sophomore, Junior or Senior undergraduate student or enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. Program

• Strong skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Visio

• Ability to work in a highly collaborative team environment

• Strong organization skills and work ethic; detail oriented

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pursuing a degree in Mechanical or Aerospace engineering or a related discipline

• Proficiency in engineering software tools, including CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and FEA (Finite Element Analysis)

• Familiarity with propulsion system testing procedures and equipment

• Experience with MATLAB

• Understanding of thermodynamics and fluids

• Experience using Sinda/Fluint, CEA (chemical equilibrium analysis) or TDK (Two-dimensional kinetics)

• Experience with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software for analyzing fluid flow and heat transfer within propulsion systems a plus

Engineering Intern Sophomore: $28.00/hour

Engineering Intern Junior/Senior: $30.00/hour

Engineering Intern BA/MS Dual Program or 5 yr BA/MS Program: $31.00

Engineering Intern Master's: $35.00/hour

Engineering Intern PhD: $42.00/hour

Intern pay is determined by the level of courses completed during the school term prior to starting the internship, not by the courses the intern will be taking following the internship.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
To conform to U.S. Government international trade regulations, applicant must be a U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Department of Commerce.

Estimated Starting Salary Range:

$16.00 - $28.00

At Sierra Space we are at the very doorstep of unlocking the future and the work in front of us is hard, but it is truly important and meaningful. Achieving our mission requires dedication, relentless pursuit of a dream and an unwavering passion for pushing the boundaries to accomplish what others might believe to be impossible. We seek those who too, Dare to Dream and will join us in a pursuit to achieve the extraordinary.

Application Deadline: This role will remain posted until a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Please note: Sierra Space does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to Sierra Space team members not through our approved vendor list or Talent Acquisition will be considered property of Sierra Space, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.

Sierra Space Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need special assistance or a reasonable accommodation related to applying for employment with Sierra Space or at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.