Tooling/Ground Support Engineering Intern (Summer 2027) Redondo Beach

Impulsespace; Redondo Beach, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Impulse Space is seeking a Tooling/Ground Support Engineering Intern for a 12‑week Summer 2027 program in Redondo Beach. You will assist in designing and implementing tooling, fixtures, and ground support equipment for high‑performance spacecraft while collaborating with designers, analysts, and engineers.

You will gain hands‑on experience with CAD, metrology, and test equipment, supporting fabrication, testing, and rapid iteration in a fast‑paced, agile team environment.

Qualifications

• Completion or working towards an engineering or science degree.
• Ability to take project ownership and work well in a small team.
• Demonstrated proficiency in basic principles of mechanics, materials, and manufacturing.
• Hands‑on experience with machining, fabrication, welding, or composite manufacturing (preferred).
• Familiarity with CAD software and ability to learn new tools (preferred).
• Familiarity with GD&T, dimensioning, and tolerancing (preferred).
• Experience with test instrumentation such as accelerometers, strain gauges, or load cells (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Support tooling, fixturing, and ground support equipment design, development, and implementation.
• Create and update CAD models, drawings, and assemblies for tooling and support equipment.
• Collaborate with designers, analysts, and engineers to prototype spacecraft hardware and test stands.
• Assist in bringing tooling through fabrication and implementation with manufacturing and supply chain.
• Support hands‑on assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and modification of tooling and test equipment.
• Support inspection and measurement of hardware and tooling using metrology techniques.
• Resolve technical challenges with speed and resourceful solutions.

Skills

Mechanical fundamentals

Materials fundamentals

Manufacturing fundamentals

Ownership mindset

Team collaboration

Education

Engineering or science degree (in progress)

Tools

CAD software

MATLAB

Excel

GD&T

Job description

Tooling/Ground Support Engineering Intern (Summer 2027)

Department: Internship

Employment Type: Internship

Location: Redondo Beach

Compensation: $30.00 / hour

Description

As a Tooling/Ground Support Engineering Intern, you will support the design, development, and implementation of tooling, fixturing, and ground support equipment for high-performance spacecraft. You will work closely with a fast-paced, agile team developing spacecraft and test systems from clean sheet designs.

*This internship is 12 weeks long from May/June to August/September 2027*

Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, and implementation of tooling, fixturing, and ground support equipment for metallic and composite spacecraft structures
• Support the design and development of test equipment and fixtures used to test and validate flight hardware
• Work directly with designers, analysts, and engineers to support the development and prototyping of spacecraft hardware and test stands
• Create and update CAD models, drawings, and assemblies for tooling and support equipment
• Work with manufacturing and supply chain teams to bring tooling and fixtures from design through fabrication and implementation
• Support hands‑on assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and modification of tooling and test equipment
• Support inspection and measurement of hardware and tooling using appropriate metrology and measurement techniques
• Resolve technical challenges with innovative and resourceful solutions, with an emphasis on speed of execution

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion or working towards a degree in engineering or science
• Ability to take project ownership and work well in a small team
• Demonstrated proficiency in basic principles of mechanics, materials, and manufacturing

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Hands‑on experience working with machining, fabrication, welding, or composite manufacturing
• Experience designing or building tooling, fixtures, test equipment, or mechanical hardware
• Familiarity with CAD software and ability to learn new tools
• Familiarity with GD&T, dimensioning, and tolerancing
• Familiarity with analysis programming such as MATLAB, Excel, etc.
• Experience with test instrumentation such as accelerometers, strain gauges, or load cells

Additional Requirements

• Willing and able to work on‑site in Redondo Beach, CA for the duration of the internship
• This position may require overtime hours; interns are eligible for overtime pay.

Additional Information

Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity.

In addition to base salary, for full‑time hires, you may also be eligible for long‑term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

• long‑term incentives, in the form of stock options
• access to medical, vision & dental coverage
• access to a 401(k) retirement plan

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., 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. Learn more about the ITAR here.

Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by 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.