Mechanical Engineering Intern

overviewenergy; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Overview Energy is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Intern to design the mounting structure for our ground beacon system and ensure it can move from lab to field test efficiently.

You will work with the optics team to meet optical beacon requirements, evaluate environmental effects on the installed system, and document design decisions that balance portability, modularity, and alignment stability.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in a Bachelor's or Master's program in mechanical or aerospace engineering with Spring 2027 graduation.
• Proficiency in CAD; NX preferred.
• Coursework in statics, mechanics of materials, and vibrations.
• Hands-on fabrication or assembly experience (machine shop, Formula SAE, robotics, or labs).
• Available to commit 5–10 hours per week, Sep 2026–Mar 2027, on-site in Northern Virginia.

Responsibilities

• Design system mounting for three states: pre-delivery, in transit, and installed at the test site.
• Trade portability and modularity against stiffness and alignment retention, and document the reasoning behind the design you pick.
• Design a transportable platform to house beacon equipment.
• Build parametric CAD models and produce drawings a machine shop can quote and manufacture.
• Analyze environmental effects on the installed system, including temperature and wind loading, and quantify the impact on pointing stability.
• Characterize transportation effects - shock, vibration, and handling - and recommend mitigations.
• Support setup, teardown, and field checkout with the optics team.

Skills

CAD

NX

Statics

Mechanics

Vibrations

Fabrication

Documentation

On-site

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

NX

Job description

About Overview Energy

Overview Energy is a mission-driven team committed to building a new layer of energy infrastructure: satellites in geosynchronous orbit that redirect solar energy to terrestrial solar projects via passively safe near-infrared light. We're in the earliest phase, where the ground beacon our satellites will point to is designed end-to-end by a small, dedicated team. Headquartered in the Northern Virginia / Washington, DC area and backed by world-class investors, we are advancing the next generation of clean energy technology.

About the Role

We're looking for a Mechanical Engineering Intern to design the structure that carries our ground beacon system, including transportation of the system from the lab to the field test.

The beacon and its system components all have to travel together, set up fast, and stay co-located with our observational telescope. Portable, modular, and rigid are competing goals. You'll own that trade and defend it. Alongside the mounting, you'll characterize what the environment does to the installed system so we know how much of the pointing error budget the structure is spending.

This internship supports our program under a Department of War energy investment program. You'll work directly with the optics team to ensure the structure design meets the optical beacon requirements.

What You'll Do

• Design system mounting for three states: pre-delivery, in transit, and installed at the test site

• Trade portability and modularity against stiffness and alignment retention, and document the reasoning behind the design you pick

• Design a transportable platform to house beacon equipment

• Build parametric CAD models and produce drawings a machine shop can quote and manufacture

• Analyze environmental effects on the installed system, including temperature and wind loading, and quantify the impact on pointing stability

• Characterize transportation effects - shock, vibration, and handling - and recommend mitigations

• Support setup, teardown, and field checkout with the optics team

What We're Looking For From You

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor's or master's program in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related field with an expected graduation in Spring 2027

• Working proficiency in CAD, NX preferred

• Coursework in statics, mechanics of materials, and vibrations

• Hands‑on fabrication or assembly experience: machine shop, Formula SAE, robotics, research lab, or your own builds

• Able to commit 5-10 hours per week from September 2026 through March 2027, on-site in Northern Virginia

We Have a Strong Preference For

• FEA experience for static, modal, or random vibration analysis (NX / NASTRAN)

• Exposure to shock and vibration testing, or to transportation environment standards such as MIL-STD-810

• GD&T fluency and practical DFM/DFA judgment

• Experience designing optomechanical mounts, kinematic mounts, or other alignment‑critical hardware

• Demonstrated interest in defense, space, or energy applications

Internship Details

This is a paid, part‑time internship running September 2026 through March 2027 at 5-10 hours per week, based on‑site at our Northern Virginia headquarters. Hourly rate: $30-$40.

You'll be mentored directly by the engineers running the program, and your work is a funded DoW deliverable, not a side project.

ITAR Requirements

This position is subject to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Overview Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact us at [e-mail].