Mechanical Engineering Intern - Fall 2026

Hermeus Corporation; Los Angeles, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 days sick leave and unpaid time off

Weekly paid office lunches

Job summary

Hermeus Corporation invites mechanical/ aerospace students to join the Fluids Team in Los Angeles for a 16-week internship focused on hydraulic and fuel systems integration and related structural components for hypersonic aircraft.

Responsibilities include designing subsystems, performing hand and FEA analyses, and leading cross-functional trade studies to optimize mass, cost, and performance. Candidates must be enrolled in an accredited program and maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university (Undergraduate student or enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program)
• Pursuing Mechanical, Aerospace, Thermal Fluids, Structural or similar Engineering degree
• Strong understanding of engineering first principles
• Demonstrated ability to work within cross-functional teams
• Enthusiasm for aviation and Hermeus' mission
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• GPA of 3.0 or above

Responsibilities

• Structural design supporting vehicle subsystems such as hydraulics, fuel systems, propulsion, and avionics
• Perform structural and thermal analyses using both hand calculations and FEA
• Lead trade studies across mechanical, fluid, and avionics subsystems with an emphasis on mass efficiency, cost, and performance
• Collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, and test teams to ensure designs are practical, producible, and aligned with program objectives
• Own hardware development from concept through design, fabrication, integration, and test
• Present technical content in internal reviews and represent the team in cross-functional and supplier/customer design reviews

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Aerospace engineering

Thermal fluids

Structural analysis

Communication skills

Education

Mechanical Engineering degree

Aerospace Engineering degree

Thermal Fluids

Structural Engineering

Job description

Hermeus is a venture-backed defense aviation company reclaiming the lost art of rapid iterative prototyping to build the fastest aircraft in the world today. By prioritizing relentless hardware iteration, we deliver high-speed systems at the pace of the modern battlefield. We work with the Department of War to provide the high-speed capabilities our nation and its allies need to maintain a durable, asymmetric advantage.

About The Role:

Hermeus is seeking talented students with experience in mechanical engineering to join our Fluids Team in Los Angeles. The Fluids Team is responsible for the design and integration of hydraulic systems, fuel systems, and their supporting structural components for cutting-edge hypersonic aircraft.

Fall: Around 16 weeks (August - December)

Responsibilities:

• Structural design supporting vehicle subsystems such as hydraulics, fuel systems, propulsion, and avionics
• Perform structural and thermal analyses using both hand calculations and FEA
• Lead trade studies across mechanical, fluid, and avionics subsystems with an emphasis on mass efficiency, cost, and performance
• Collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, and test teams to ensure designs are practical, producible, and aligned with program objectives
• Own hardware development from concept through design, fabrication, integration, and test
• Present technical content in internal reviews and represent the team in cross-functional and supplier/customer design reviews

Requirements:

• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited college or university (Undergraduate student or enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program)
• Pursuing Mechanical, Aerospace, Thermal Fluids, Structural or similar Engineering degree
• Strong understanding of engineering first principles
• Demonstrated ability to work within cross-functional teams
• Enthusiasm for aviation and Hermeus' mission
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• GPA of 3.0 or above

$25 - $33 an hour

The hourly rate listed for this internship is intended as a general guideline. Final compensation will be determined based on degree level.

Benefits:

• Time Off: Interns are eligible for 5 days of sick leave and unpaid time off.
• Office Perks: Weekly paid office lunches and fully stocked breakrooms.

U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a "U.S. person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. US persons include U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Hermeus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions at Hermeus are based solely on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to 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.