Internship - Launch Site - Fall 2026

Firefly Aerospace; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace has year-round engineering-focused internship opportunities for our launch location in Vandenberg, CA. Both current undergrads and new graduates are encouraged to apply.

As a Firefly Intern, you will support the Launch Team to perform pad upgrades, launch support, data automation, and other tasks required to keep an active launch site up and running! Specific tasks will be assigned based on the applicant's degree or skill set.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a BS or MS program (or recent graduate) at a four-year university.
• Degree focused on engineering, mathematics, or science.
• Willing to work in a hands-on, evolving environment.
• Detail-oriented with multi-priority management.
• Strong design fundamentals; aerospace experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Solve launch site problems (electrical, mechanical, fluids, or operations).
• Support design reviews, build instructions, fabrication, testing, and documentation updates.
• Create and release procedures; perform on-pad operations.
• Interface with team and Space Force Base to ensure proper documentation and requirements.

Skills

Effective communication

Detail oriented

Multitasking

Hands-on mindset

Education

Engineering/Science degree

Tools

3D CAD

Data acquisition

Coding/scripting basics

Job description

Career Opportunities with Firefly Aerospace

Come be a part of the 21 st Century Space Race!

Careers At Firefly Aerospace

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Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company on a mission to reliably and repeatedly launch, land, and operate space systems from Earth to the Moon and beyond. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the first commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24-hour notice and the first company to achieve a successful Moon landing. Headquartered in North Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

SUMMARY

Firefly has year-round engineering-focused internship opportunities for our launch location in Vandenberg, CA. Both current undergrads and new graduates are encouraged to apply. As a Firefly Intern, you will support the Launch Team to perform pad upgrades, launch support, data automation, and other tasks required to keep an active launch site up and running! Specific tasks will be assigned based on the applicant's degree or skill set.

Ideal candidates will know specific areas such as Mechanical Design, Electrical Engineering, Fluid Systems, Testing, Propulsion systems, or Software Development. You will have the opportunity to gain design experience by developing novel solutions for challenging problems. Launch Team positions require high levels of creativity, flexibility, and collaboration. The ability to communicate effectively within a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural group is an absolute must.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Solve launch site problems - electrical, mechanical, fluids, or operational in order to meet launch vehicle and launch site needs
• Perform necessary engineering behind technical solutions, including design reviews, build instructions, fabrication, testing, and documentation updates
• Create, review, and release procedures as required with design work to support your engineering on the launch pad. Perform appropriate on-pad operations
• Interface with fellow coworkers and with the range to ensure all appropriate documentation, requirements, and engineering are done to meet the rigorous standards of a launch site on a Space Force Base
• Use engineering principles and fundamentals to provide novel solutions for technically challenging problems in the Internship focus area (Structural Design, Test, and Electrical Engineering, Fluid Systems, Test and Launch Operations, etc.)
• Assist with Static fire and launch activities as directed by the launch director

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Must be currently enrolled in either a BS or MS program (or a recent graduate) at an accredited four-year university or college.
• Degree must be focused on engineering, mathematics, or science
• Willing to work in a hands-on, constantly evolving environment
• Detail-oriented, managing multiple priorities while maintaining focus towards a common goal
• Strong comprehension of design fundamentals, Aerospace experience a plus
• Communicates effectively, verbal and written
• Able to effectively prioritize and execute tasks
• Willingness to be on the pad, outside, and work overtime as required during launch campaigns

Candidates should preferably have a focus in one of the following areas

• 3D CAD and Structural Design
• Knowledge in specific areas such as fluid systems, testing, and data acquisition
• Electrical or Computer Engineering background
• Data analysis skills and basic familiarity with coding or scripting

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a 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.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.