Mechanical Engineering Intern - Space Technologies

Our paid Summer Internship Program is designed to provide students with an immersive, hands-on experience within the aerospace and defense industry. Interns work alongside AV team members on meaningful projects involving cutting-edge technology while developing professional relationships, strategic problem-solving skills, and practical experience in a full-time work environment.

This is a 12-week, onsite program intended for highly motivated and passionate students who are currently enrolled in college or are recent graduates. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, with a preference for students at the junior level or above.

Our program has been recognized by Yello and WayUp as one of the Top 100 Internship Programs in the United States for multiple years.

Depending on the team and location, students who are willing to relocate for their internship may be eligible for a relocation and housing reimbursement stipend.

We are seeking qualified intern candidates in their second or third year of an accredited 4-year engineering program to identify potential candidates earlier in their career.

A qualified candidate would have a background in mechanical engineering and interest in supporting a variety of aerospace and defense work. Projects vary within technology areas at AV, and mechanical engineering work can consist of designing electro-mechanical mechanisms such as steering mirrors or gimbals, electronics packaging and thermal management, sensor design and opto-mechanical system design. These programs are for a variety of applications including ground based demonstration programs, operational fielded assets as well as space qualified imaging, and laser communications.

This position would report to AV's mechanical engineering lead at the Albuquerque office.

·Supporting mechanical design activities of various projects including modeling electro-mechanical systems, electrical enclosures, opto-mechanical systems, etc.

·Supporting system assembly, integration, and test of the above hardware

·Assist other engineers in creating and updating SolidWorks models and drawings.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·Bachelor of Science degree in process in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited four-year university

·Desire to pursue a career in Mechanical engineering for Aerospace and defense systems

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Primary Location | Albuquerque, New Mexico

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits:  AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.  For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit:  http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply.  NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next.

If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans. AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR