Mechanical Engineer Intern
AstroForge
Other Engineering
Seal Beach, CA, USA
USD 30-30 / hour
Posted on Oct 30, 2025
Mechanical Engineer Intern
Seal Beach
Structures
In office
Full-time
About AstroForge
At AstroForge, our mission is to make space resources accessible on Earth. We mine asteroids to extract valuable minerals in space at a lower cost and smaller carbon footprint than current terrestrial mining methods. By joining the team at AF you’ll have the opportunity to work side by side with our amazing engineering and science teams. This position will provide you with valuable skills, experience, and mentorship necessary to become a leading professional in your field. We offer a unique opportunity to join an exciting team looking to expand humanity’s capabilities in space.
Job Description
As a Mechanical Engineering Intern at AstroForge, you will gain direct, hands-on experience developing spacecraft mechanical systems that must perform in the extreme environment of space. Working side-by-side with experienced engineers, you’ll help design, build, test, and validate real flight hardware. This role is ideal for someone eager to get their hands dirty, assembling prototypes, performing tests, and learning how mechanical systems come together in practice, not just in theory.
You’ll be an active contributor throughout the hardware lifecycle, from concept development to integration and testing, helping bring innovative spacecraft designs to life.
Basic Qualifications
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
- Enrollment in an accredited college or university, with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Must be a rising senior.
- Familiarity with CAD software (e.g., NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, or Creo).
- Strong grasp of mechanical fundamentals, including statics, dynamics, and material principles.
- Demonstrated interest in hands-on engineering, such as student projects, labs, or personal builds.
- Eagerness to learn and contribute in a fast-paced, hardware-focused environment.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
- Must not be otherwise employed for the duration of the internship.
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Proof of US Citizenship or Permanent Residency.
Responsibilities
- Support the design, fabrication, and testing of spacecraft mechanical components and assemblies under the guidance of senior engineers.
- Create and update CAD models, mechanical drawings, and bills of materials for parts and subsystems.
- Participate in prototype builds, fit checks, and system integration activities, gaining hands-on exposure to flight hardware.
- Assist with structural, vibration, and thermal testing of components and assemblies.
- Help develop and execute test procedures, record data, and document results.
- Collaborate with engineers across disciplines (mechanical, thermal, electrical, systems) to resolve design challenges.
- Maintain clear documentation and ensure traceability to system requirements.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Hands-on experience with mechanical prototyping, assembly, or machining.
- Exposure to GD&T, tolerance analysis, and precision mechanical design.
- Familiarity with FEA or thermal simulation tools.
- Experience with spacecraft or aerospace hardware, even in a student or lab setting.
- Ability to take ownership of assigned projects and see them through to completion.
Location: Onsite in Seal Beach
Pay Rate: $30.00 per hour
Duration: 10 weeks
ITAR Requirements
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S.,protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15) or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
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Req ID: R72
