Internship – Launch Site – Fall 2026

Firefly Aerospace; United States; On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace is offering year-round internship opportunities at our launch site in Vandenberg, CA. We welcome current undergraduates and recent graduates to join the Launch Team to support pad upgrades, data automation, and other critical tasks to keep a live launch site operational.

Candidates should have focus areas such as Mechanical Design, Electrical Engineering, Fluid Systems, Propulsion, or Software Development.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in BS/MS program or recent graduate in engineering/science/m mathematics.
• Degree focus: engineering, mathematics or science; hands-on environment.

Responsibilities

• Solve launch site problems (electrical, mechanical, fluids or operations) to meet launch needs.
• Perform engineering behind technical solutions including design reviews, build instructions, fabrication, testing and documentation updates.
• Create review and release procedures to support engineering on the launch pad.
• Perform on‑pad operations and interface with range to meet documentation requirements and standards.
• Apply engineering principles to develop novel solutions for challenging problems in internship focus areas.
• Assist with static fire and launch activities as directed by the launch director.

Skills

3D CAD

Structural Design

Data analysis

Coding

Scripting

Electrical Engineering

Computer Engineering

Fluid systems testing

Data acquisition

Education

BS/MS in engineering/science/mathematics

Tools

CAD software

Testing equipment

Data acquisition tools

Job description

ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

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 applicants 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 needsPerform necessary engineering behind technical solutions including design reviews build instructions fabrication testing and documentation updatesCreate review and release procedures as required with design work to support your engineering on the launch pad Perform appropriate on pad operationsInterface 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 BaseUse 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 etcAssist 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 collegeDegree must be focused on engineering mathematics or scienceWilling to work in a hands on constantly evolving environmentDetail oriented managing multiple priorities while maintaining focus towards a common goalStrong comprehension of design fundamentals Aerospace experience a plusCommunicates effectively verbal and writtenAble to effectively prioritize and execute tasksWillingness to be on the pad outside and work overtime as required during launch campaignsDesired Candidates should preferably have a focus in one of the following areas 3D CAD and Structural DesignKnowledge in specific areas such as fluid systems testing and data acquisitionElectrical or Computer Engineering backgroundData analysis skills and basic familiarity with coding or scriptingTo conform to US Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ITAR you must be a US citizen a lawful permanent resident of the US a protected individual as defined by 8 USC 1324ba3 or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the US 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 originethnicity veteran status disability status age sexual orientation gender identity marital status mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status