Fall 2026 Mechanical Engineering Intern

sierraspace; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 39,000 - 44,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship

In-person internship

Fall 2026 program

Job summary

Sierra Space in Centennial, CO is offering a Fall 2026 Mechanical Engineering Internship. You will design and test spacecraft mechanical components, develop CAD models, and analyze performance while supporting testing hardware. Expect hands-on experience in mechanical design, prototyping, thermal analysis, and materials selection.

This in-person internship emphasizes mentorship, cross-functional workshops, and real-world challenges in aerospace and defense.

Qualifications

• 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 or eligible for required authorizations.

Responsibilities

• Design and test mechanical components used in spacecraft and aerospace systems.
• Develop CAD models, analyze mechanical performance, and support testing hardware using MATLAB-like tools.
• Contribute to prototyping, thermal analysis, stress calculations, and material selection.
• Document engineering results and gain hands-on experience with mechanical design and manufacturing processes.

Skills

Communication

Team collaboration

Organizational skills

Problem solving with data/tech

Self-initiative

Education

Undergraduate degree program

Expected graduation Dec 2026 - Jun 2027

Tools

MATLAB

CAD modelling

Job description

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

2026 Fall Mechanical Engineering Intern

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.

2026 Fall Internship

The Sierra Space Fall Internship will run from September - December 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.

Position Available

Mechanical Engineer: Help design and test mechanical components use d in spacecraft and aerospace systems. You'l l work with engineers t o 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!

Professional Development

• Master essential business processes and procedures
• Strengthen your technical expertise through hands - on application and expert guidance
• 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 above Earth.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Preferred Majors

• Aerospace Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Computer Science
• Information Science
• Physics

Office Environment

Corporate, in-person internship

Job Location

We have opportunities available in the below locations for this role.

• Centennial, CO

Compensation

The pay rate for this internship is $30.00/hour

About Sierra Space

Headquartered in Colorado, Sierra Space is an industry-leading defense-tech space company. We design, manufacture, and deliver satellites, spacecraft and space subsystems including reusable spaceplanes, hypersonic technologies, propulsion systems, and infrastructure for the nation's most critical missions.

With more than three decades of space flight heritage, expansive classified and unclassified infrastructure and disruptive cutting-edge technology, Sierra Space is trusted by National Security, civil and commercial customers. Our flight-proven tech