Internship, Mechanical Engineering (Summer 2027)

Pivotal; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Pivotal is seeking a student intern in Palo Alto to support mechanical design and 3D modeling for next-generation eVTOL aircraft. You will work with CATIA/SolidWorks to assist in prototype fabrication, testing, and design reviews, contributing to structural evaluations and documentation of changes.

The role emphasizes hands-on experience in an innovative, safety-conscious environment. Candidates must be enrolled in an engineering degree and available onsite at our Palo Alto HQ.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree program in Mechanical Engineering.
• Demonstrated project experience in your area of focus.
• Interest in the eVTOL industry and personal flight.
• Ability to learn quickly and multi-task in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication, organization, and leadership skills.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Able to work onsite in Palo Alto, CA.

Responsibilities

• Assist in mechanical design and 3D modeling using CAD tools (CATIA, SolidWorks).
• Support prototype fabrication, assembly, and testing.
• Perform tolerance analysis, material selection, and structural evaluations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on design reviews and product integration.
• Document designs, test data, and engineering changes.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Project experience

Learning ability

Education

Bachelor's or Master's candidate (Mechanical Eng)

Tools

CATIA

SolidWorks

Job description

Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly aircraft the world's first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.
Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal aircraft are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been flying for over 10 years. Last year we announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, which is rapidly progressing toward general release and scalable production in 2026.
Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of modern technology investments. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. If you are ready for adventure, we invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.

Responsibilities

• Assist in mechanical design and 3D modeling using CAD tools (CATIA, Solidworks)
• Support prototype fabrication, assembly, and testing
• Perform tolerance analysis, material selection, and structural evaluations
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on design reviews and product integration
• Document designs, test data, and engineering changes
  

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelors or Masters degree program, preferably Mechanical Engineering from an accredited program
• Demonstrated project experience in your area of focus
• Interest in eVTOL industry and personal flight
• Ability to learn quickly and multi-task in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment
• Strong verbal and written communication, organization, and leadership skills
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Able to work onsite in Palo Alto, CA
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in motor sports and/or electric vehicles (AIAA Design, Build, Fly; Formula SAE, etc.)
• Experience with 3D modeling (CATIA preferred)
  

Attributes aligned with Core Values

• Safety Above All: Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily work, identifying and mitigating risks, encouraging open dialogue about safety concerns, and continuously improving practices and protocols
• Customer Focus: Puts customers at the center of every action by understanding their challenges, delivering meaningful value, and supporting their success
• Work Better Together: Seeks and values diverse perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication and commitment to shared decisions
• Be the Pilot: Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes
• Embrace the Unknown: Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking, challenges the status quo, and combines innovative ideas with practical approaches to overcome obstacles and drive progress
• Respect for People: Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect, professionalism, and support by balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment and being a trusted, dependable teammate
  

Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.

Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.