Engineering Intern

Wardstone; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

Wardstone is seeking engineering interns in California to work on real hardware from concept to test. You’ll join one of our engineering teams, own real tasks, and collaborate with founders and full-time engineers on Hailstorm, our first interceptor.

Interns are treated as engineers and contribute to flight hardware, simulations, and tests. This role offers hands-on experience across mechanical design, propulsion analysis, CFD, GNC, radar, avionics, and manufacturing processes while you learn in

Qualifications

• Pursuing an accredited degree in relevant field with expected graduation December 2027 or later.
• Built and delivered real projects such as student rocketry, Formula SAE, robotics, research, or personal projects.
• Curious, self-directed, and motivated by real-world impact.

Responsibilities

• Assist with mechanical design, hardware prototyping, and test fixtures.
• Contribute to solid rocket motor design and data analysis.
• Perform aerodynamic analysis, CFD, and build databases.
• Support guidance, navigation, and control algorithms and 6DOF simulations.
• Analyze data from test campaigns.

Skills

Python

MATLAB

Data analysis

Education

Aerospace Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Computer Science

Physics

Tools

CAD

FEA

CFD

PCB design

Job description

Overview

We’re looking for engineering interns who want to work on real hardware, from concept to test. You’ll join one of our engineering teams and work directly with the founders and full-time engineers on Hailstorm, our first interceptor. Interns at Wardstone are treated as engineers. You’ll own real tasks, your work will affect flight hardware and simulations, and you’ll take part in tests.

What You’ll Work On

Depending on your background and interests, you may work on:

• Mechanical design, structural analysis, and building hardware and test fixtures.
• Solid rocket motor design, testing, and data analysis.
• Aerodynamic analysis, CFD, and building aerodynamic databases.
• Guidance, navigation, and control algorithms, and 6DOF simulation.
• Radar signal processing and target tracking.
• Avionics, including board design, bring‑up, and testing.
• Manufacturing processes and production planning.
• Analysis of data from test campaigns.

Who We’re Looking For

• Currently pursuing a degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related field, graduating [December 2027 or later].
• Has built and delivered real projects, such as student rocketry, Formula SAE, robotics, research, or personal projects.
• Curious, self‑directed, and motivated by real‑world impact.
• Proficient in Python or MATLAB for modeling and data analysis.
• Must be a U.S. person as defined by ITAR (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual).

Bonus Points

• Experience with controls, GNC, or flight simulation.
• CAD, FEA, or CFD experience.
• Solid rocket motor experience or high‑power rocketry certification (NAR or Tripoli).
• Embedded systems, PCB design, or hardware bring‑up.
• Signal processing or radar experience.
• Hands‑on lab, shop, or field testing experience.

Compensation

The base pay range for this role is $34 – $36 per hour.