Summer 2026 Engineering Intern

Sierra Space•Madison, WI

1d•$30 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

Sierra Space Careers: At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth. Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can deliver on the boldest missions in space today. Together with our customers, we aim to safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure the freedom of operations in low Earth orbit and beyond. Our success is measured by the trust of those who rely on what we build and deliver, and our technologies keep the United States and its allies mission-ready throughout space. We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team. About the Role About You Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower – to join us in this critical mission. We’re looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement. Launch Your Future at Sierra Space Begin your career journey alongside the industry's most brilliant and innovative minds. At Sierra Space, interns engage with meaningful projects while developing the foundation for an exceptional career in aerospace and defense. Our early career professionals benefit from a distinctive experience—receiving dedicated mentorship while collaborating directly with recognized industry experts on real-world challenges aligned with their academic focus. Bring your knowledge and passion for learning, and we'll provide transformative experience. Summer Intern Academy The Sierra Space Summer Intern Academy runs for 12 weeks during the summer of 2026 for undergrad students graduating between December 2026 and June 2027. Participants work on meaningful projects, network with industry experts, and develop skills at one of our state-of-the-art facilities. Positions Available Aerospace Engineer: Work alongside experienced engineers to support the design, analysis, and testing of spacecraft subsystems. You’ll help run simulations, review engineering data, and assist with solving real aerospace challenges using tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, and STK. Interns may support projects related to spacecraft performance, flight dynamics, or system modeling while gaining hands-on exposure to how space systems are developed and tested. Your impact will help advance technologies that power future space missions! Electrical Engineer: Support the design, testing, and troubleshooting of electronic circuits and systems that power spacecraft and mission technologies. You’ll work alongside engineers on activities such as schematic development, PCB layout, component selection, and prototype testing. Interns may contribute to projects related to spacecraft power systems, communications electronics, or avionics while documenting test results and supporting system integration. You’ll gain hands-on experience using tools such as Altium, SPICE, and lab equipment like oscilloscopes while learning how flight electronics move from concept to working hardware. Engineering Management: Collaborate with project managers to coordinate technical teams, track deliverables, and assist with resource allocations across engineering initiatives. You will gain practical experience in translating business requirements into technical specifications while helping to facilitate communication between developers and stakeholders. This role provides exposure to both technical and leadership aspects of engineering projects, allowing you to develop essential management skills in a technology-driven environment. Materials & Processes Engineer: As a Materials & Processes Engineer Intern, you will support the development and optimization of manufacturing processes while evaluating material properties and performance characteristics for various applications. You will assist in conducting material testing, analyzing data, and documenting findings to improve product quality and manufacturing efficiency. This role provides hands-on experience with advanced materials, fabrication techniques, and quality control methodologies while allowing you to apply engineering principles to solve real-world production challenges. Mechanical Engineer: Help design and test mechanical components used in spacecraft and aerospace systems. You’ll work with engineers to develop CAD models, analyze mechanical performance, and support testing hardware using tools such as MATLAB. Interns may contribute to product development activities including prototyping, thermal analysis, stress calculations, and material selection while documenting engineering results. You will leave your internship with hands-on experience with mechanical design, manufacturing processes, and how hardware moves from concept to flight-ready systems! Propulsion Engineer: Help design and evaluate propulsion technologies that power spacecraft and rocket systems. You will assist in the design, analysis, and testing of propulsion systems while working alongside experienced engineers potentially on projects that involve thrust generation and efficiency optimization. You may support computational modeling, component testing, and performance evaluations to better understand propellant behavior, combustion dynamics, and overall system performance tools. This role provides hands-on exposure to propulsion technologies and the engineering challenges involved in developing reliable, high-performance propulsion systems for aerospace applications. Software Engineer: Contribute to the development of software that supports spacecraft systems, mission operations, or engineering tools. You will collaborate with development teams to design, build, and test software applications while following modern development practices. Interns may help implement new features, debug existing code, participate in code reviews, and support projects involving artificial intelligence. This role provides practical experience with industry-standard programming languages, development tools, and version control systems while offering insight into the complete software development lifecycle from requirements gathering to deployment. Systems Engineer: Work with cross-functional engineering teams to help define requirements, support system architecture development, and ensure complex technologies integrate seamlessly across spacecraft subsystems. You’ll collaborate with teams working on power systems, propulsion, communications, and avionics while helping document requirements, support verification testing, and track system performance. This role offers exposure to how complex aerospace systems come together from early concept through integration testing. Cyber Security: Join our cybersecurity team to help monitor network traffic, conduct vulnerability assessments, and implement security protocols to protect organizational assets. You will gain experience analyzing potential threats, documenting security incidents, and contributing to the development of security policies and procedures. This role offers valuable exposure to real-world cybersecurity challenges while developing technical skills in threat detection, incident response, and security compliance frameworks. Professional Development During your internship, you will: Master essential business processes and procedures Strengthen your technical expertise through hands-on application and expert guidance Participate in our comprehensive program developed by our University Talent Acquisition team Engage in cross-functional workshops and leadership sessions that provide valuable insights into our operations and Sierra Space's forward-thinking culture Join us in our mission to build the next generation of space innovation and become part of the team that's expanding humanity's reach beyond Earth.

Requirements

Actively enrolled in an undergraduate degree program.
Expected graduation date between December 2026-June 2027.
Passion for solving problems by leveraging data and technology.
Excellent written and verbal communication
Ability to work in a highly collaborative team environment.
Strong organization skills, detail oriented, and self-initiative.
The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance is required.
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.