2027 Summer Materials & Processes Intern

Telemetry Today LLC; Berthoud (CO); On-site; USD 34,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Parental Leave

Medical Insurance

401k with match

EAP

Job summary

Ursa Major seeks a Materials & Processes Intern to support development, characterization, and testing of materials used in rocket engines and propulsion systems. This internship leads into a Level I M&P Engineer role, with hands-on lab projects and failure investigations impacting flight hardware.

You will work with experienced M&P engineers on practical experiments, data collection, and collaboration across engineering teams. Colorado location, paid internship, full-time non-exempt.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a BS in a relevant engineering field.
• Junior or senior year preferred; strong sophomores with relevant experience considered.
• Foundational coursework in structure–property relationships or related topics.
• Hands-on lab experience with real hardware and test equipment.
• Familiarity with material testing/characterization techniques.
• Strong data recording and procedure adherence.
• Clear written and verbal communication; team oriented.

Responsibilities

• Characterize materials under supervision (metallography, hardness, microstructure).
• Assist with SEM and optical microscopy work: sample prep and imaging.
• Support mechanical testing (tensile tests) and data collection.
• Contribute to material development and test coupon work.
• Maintain a clean, safe materials laboratory and proper labeling.
• Document work in lab notebooks and simple technical reports.
• Share material data with design, manufacturing, and test engineers.

Education

BS in Materials Science & Engineering

Metallurgical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Aerospace Engineering

Related field

Tools

SEM

Optical Microscopy

Hardness Testing

Metallography

Image Analysis

Job description

The future of aerospace and defense starts here.

Ursa Major was founded to revolutionize how America and its allies access and apply high-performance propulsion, from hypersonics to solid rocket motors, satellite maneuvering and launch. We design and deliver propulsion and defense systems that solve the most urgent and critical national security demands.

Ursa Major is seeking a Materials & Processes (M&P) Intern to support the development, characterization, and testing of materials used in our rocket engines and propulsion systems. This internship is designed as a strong lead‑in to our Level I M&P Engineer role. You will work closely with experienced M&P engineers on hands‑on lab projects, material testing campaigns, and failure investigations that directly impact flight hardware.

Responsibilities:

• Perform material characterization under guidance of M&P engineers, including metallography, hardness testing, and basic microstructural analysis.
• Assist with SEM and optical microscopy work: sample preparation, imaging, and basic interpretation of micrographs.
• Support mechanical testing , such as tensile tests and simple coupon‑level evaluations; help with test setup, data collection, and initial data reduction.
• Contribute to material development and process trials , including preparation of test coupons, documenting procedures, and helping track results.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe materials laboratory , including sample labeling, equipment upkeep, and adherence to safety protocols.
• Document work in lab notebooks and simple technical reports; create clear plots, tables, and summaries that can be used by the broader engineering team.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and test engineers by sharing material data and observations that inform engineering decisions.

Required Qualifications:

• Actively pursuing a B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field .
• Ideally entering junior or senior year at the time of the internship; strong sophomores with relevant experience will also be considered.
• Completed foundational coursework in materials science (e.g., structure–property relationships, mechanical behavior, phase diagrams, or similar).
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience in a lab setting (course labs, research projects, or maker spaces) with an interest in working with real hardware and test equipment.
• Basic familiarity with material testing or characterization techniques (e.g., tensile testing, microscopy, hardness tests), even if only from class projects.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in recording data and following procedures.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills; ability to work effectively as part of a small, fast‑paced team.

Preferred Experience:

• Prior internship, co‑op, or research experience related to materials, manufacturing, or aerospace hardware.
• Extracurricular involvement that shows initiative in technical environments—such as rocket teams, Formula SAE/Baja, CubeSat projects, materials research groups, machine shop clubs, or maker spaces .
• Experience with metallography (mounting, grinding, polishing, etching) and basic microstructure interpretation.
• Exposure to SEM operation (even at a basic user level) and image analysis.
• Experience running or supporting tensile or fatigue tests and handling test data.
• Familiarity with basic data and analysis tools (Excel, Python, or similar) for plotting stress–strain curves and summarizing test results.

This internship is intended for students who want to grow into full‑time Materials & Processes Engineers . You’ll gain direct exposure to propulsion hardware, modern test methods, and the day‑to‑day problem solving required to make rocket engines fly.

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $30.00/hour, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. What we can'tquantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy.

Classification: Full-time Non-Exempt

Benefits Include: (Please note, Interns are not eligible for benefits)

• Unlimited PTO - Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Bereavement
• Paid Parental and Adoptive Leave
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Tax Advantage Accounts (HSA/FSA)
• Employer Paid Short and Long Term Disability, Basic Life, AD&D
• Additional Benefit Options Including Voluntary Life and Emergency Medical Transport
• EAP Program
• Retirement Savings Plan - 401k with Company Match

NOTE:

Research suggests that women and BIPOC individuals may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who believes they have the skills and the drive necessary to succeed here to apply for this role.

Must be a U.S. Person (this includes U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents).

Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

We’re an equal-opportunity employer. You will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.