Airframe/Structures Engineering Intern

Astro Mechanica; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly pay

Hands-on mentorship from engineers

Team lunches and activities

Job summary

Astro Mechanica is seeking an intern to join our Airframe Team for Summer 2027 in San Francisco. You will design, analyze, and test aerospace structures under experienced engineers, contributing to vehicle performance and safety.

You will work in an in-person setting, applying your CAD/FEA skills, and gain hands-on experience on real aircraft hardware across disciplines during a 10–12 week program.

Qualifications

• Pursuing Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• Coursework or internship experience in structural design and analysis.
• Familiar with composite and metallic materials and manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to design, analysis, build, and test of composite and metallic structures for high-performance aircraft.
• Perform CAD modeling, drawings, and basic structural analysis (hand calcs and FEA).
• Assist with trade studies balancing performance, weight, cost and manufacturability.
• Collaborate with aero, propulsion, manufacturing, and test teams.
• Participate in design reviews, manufacturing support, and testing activities.
• Document work clearly and maintain configuration control for designs and models.
• Own a scoped project through the summer and present results.

Skills

CAD modeling

FEA

Structural design

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Pursuing a Bachelor's/Master's/PhD in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

SolidWorks

Abaqus

Nastran

Ansys

Job description

ABOUT US

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company developing a scalable technology platform to power critical infrastructure, mission operations, and the future of flight. We apply aerospace engineering and quality standards across our products, delivering high performance, reliability, and efficiency for the most demanding operating environments. Astro Mechanica is backed by leading venture and strategic investors, including Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), Giant Step Capital, United Airlines Ventures, and Voyager Ventures.

WHO WE ARE

We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

WHO YOU ARE

Astro Mechanica is seeking an intern to join our Airframe Team for the summer of 2027 (program begins on June 7, 2027 for semester schools and June 27, 2027 for quarter schools). The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in structural design principles and a passion for solving challenging aerospace problems. You’re eager to apply your engineering education to real aircraft hardware while learning from experienced engineers across disciplines. As an intern, you’ll be embedded with the structures team in San Francisco, working on real projects alongside full-time engineers, and you’ll help design, analyze, and test advanced aerospace structures that directly contribute to the performance and safety of our vehicles.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Contribute to the design, analysis, build, and test of composite and metallic structures for high-performance aircraft


• Perform CAD modeling, drawings, and basic structural analysis (hand calcs and FEA)


• Assist with trade studies that balance performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability


• Work with cross-functional teams (aero, propulsion, manufacturing, test) to understand and support structural requirements


• Participate in design reviews, manufacturing support, and testing activities


• Document your work clearly and follow configuration control practices for designs and models


• Own a scoped project through the summer and present your results to the team at the end of the internship

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field


• Coursework, club, research, or internship experience in structural design and analysis


• Familiarity with composite and metallic materials, structural design principles, and manufacturing processes


• Hands-on proficiency in CAD (e.g., NX, SolidWorks, or similar)


• Exposure to structural analysis methods (hand calculations, FEA tools such as Nastran, Abaqus, or Ansys)


• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to take initiative


• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment


• Enthusiasm for learning, building, and contributing to innovative aerospace vehicles


• Available for a full-time, in-person internship in San Francisco during Summer 2027 (approximately 10-12 weeks)

PERKS & BENEFITS

• Competitive hourly pay


• Hands-on mentorship from experienced engineers


• Company-funded perks, including team lunches, game nights, and other activities

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

At Astro Mechanica, we highly value in-office work to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. We consider working in the office five days a week an essential part of the employee's role.

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.