Structures Engineering Intern - Spring/Summer/Fall 2027

Hermeus; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

5 days sick leave

Office lunches

Job summary

Hermeus invites interns to join a multidisciplinary team developing the Mk 2.3 airframe. You will design, build, and test flight hardware, working closely with design and production to drive rapid hardware iterations and validate configurations in a hands-on environment.

As a STEM student, you’ll contribute to engineering first principles, CAD modeling, and DFMs while collaborating across teams to meet aggressive development timelines and flight readiness milestones.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience designing, building, and testing vehicles through internships, studies or projects.
• Must be currently enrolled in a STEM program at an accredited college or university (undergraduate third/fourth year or Master/PhD).
• Strong interest in vehicle hardware.
• Strong understanding of engineering first principles.
• Comfort with CAD, test equipment, hand tools.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes (machining, welding, forming, etc.) and GD&T fundamentals.
• Demonstrated ability to work within cross-functional teams.
• Must be willing to travel to test sites, other Hermeus offices, and partner locations as needed.
• Enthusiasm for aviation and Hermeus's mission.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, build, and test of flight and test hardware supporting the Mk 2.3 airframe.
• Support detailed project planning and execution to help drive hardware delivery on aggressive development timelines.
• Translate high-level structural design concepts into detailed CAD models with DFMs.
• Contribute to transition of structural components from prototype to production.
• Identify opportunities to simplify designs, reduce part count, and improve manufacturability.
• Develop build processes, tooling concepts, and integration plans for structural hardware.
• Develop and execute test plans for structural and flight hardware validation.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and test teams to support vehicle integration and milestones.

Skills

Hands-on design

CAD proficiency

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

GPA 3.0+

Tools

Siemens Teamcenter

NX

GD&T fundamentals

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:

This role sits at the intersection of engineering design, manufacturing, integration and test for flight vehicles. You'll be embedded with design and production teams, owning everything from hardware design, tooling, testing and flight readiness to process development and vehicle assembly.

Spring: Around 16 weeks (January - April)

Summer: Around 12 weeks (May - August)

Fall: Around 16 weeks (September - December)

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design, build, and test of flight and test hardware supporting the Mk 2.3 airframe
• Support detailed project planning and execution to help drive hardware delivery on aggressive development timelines
• Assist in translating high-level structural design concepts into detailed CAD models, including geometry refinement, material selection, and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) considerations
• Contribute to the transition of structural components and assemblies from prototype builds to repeatable production
• Identify opportunities to simplify designs, reduce part count, and improve manufacturability and assembly flow
• Support development of build processes, tooling concepts, and integration plans for structural hardware
• Assist in developing and executing test plans and procedures for structural and flight hardware validation
• Collaborate cross-functionally with design, manufacturing, and test teams to support vehicle integration and program milestones

Requirements:

• Hands-on experience designing, building, and testing vehicles through internships, studies or projects
• Must be currently enrolled in a STEM program at an accredited college or university (undergraduate student in your third or fourth year of study, or enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program)
• Strong interest in vehicle hardware
• Strong understanding of engineering first principles
• Comfort with CAD, test equipment, hand tools.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes (machining, welding, forming, etc.) and GD&T fundamentals.
• Demonstrated ability to work within cross-functional teams
• Must be willing to travel to test sites, other Hermeus offices, and partner locations as needed
• Enthusiasm for aviation and Hermeus's mission
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• GPA of 3.0 or above

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Designed and released flight hardware.
• Familiarity with Siemens Teamcenter and NX.
• Leadership experience on project teams or in mentorship roles.
• You’ve built something that’s flown, broken, or both.

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 by22 C.F.R.

• 120.62or 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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. 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.