Aviation Mechanical Engineering Intern

Pyka; Alameda (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid holidays

PTO (paid time off)

Unpaid time off

Visa sponsorship

Job summary

Pyka is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Intern in Alameda, CA to contribute to real aircraft hardware and support the entire design cycle from concept to field deployment. You will work with a team of engineers, builders, and innovators shaping autonomous electric aviation.

You’ll gain hands-on experience on active projects, collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, and testing teams to bring our autonomous electric aircraft to life.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
• Interest in electric aviation, robotics, or sustainability.
• Strong problem-solving and hands-on shop experience.
• Familiarity with 3D CAD software.
• Bonus: experience with FEA, composite materials, 3D printing, CNC machining, or rapid prototyping.
• Preferred graduation window: Winter 2026 - Spring 2028.
• You may be a great fit even if you don’t meet every qualification.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, prototyping, testing, and iteration of mechanical components and assemblies.
• Assist in validating environmental and performance requirements for aircraft parts and materials.
• Help investigate, root-cause, and develop solutions for hardware issues discovered during flight testing or field operations.
• Create or update 3D CAD models, drawings, and documentation under the guidance of Mechanical Engineers.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineers on improving build processes, tooling, and manufacturability.
• Conduct hands‑on testing, research, or analysis to support project milestones.
• Present findings or project outcomes at the end of your internship.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Aerospace engineering

3D CAD

Hands-on

Problem solving

Education

Pursuing Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering degree

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

Inventor

FEA

CNC machining

3D printing

Job description

Pyka is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Intern in Alameda, CA to contribute to real aircraft hardware and support the entire design cycle from concept to field deployment. You will work with a team of engineers, builders, and innovators shaping autonomous electric aviation.

You’ll gain hands-on experience on active projects, collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, and testing teams to bring our autonomous electric aircraft to life.