Intern - Aerodynamic Test Engineer

North Wind•St. Paul, MN

11d•$0 - $25

About The Position

North Wind is seeking an Aerodynamics Test Engineering Intern to support the planning, preparation, execution, and analysis of aerodynamic testing for advanced aerospace applications. Working alongside experienced engineers and technical teams, the intern will gain exposure to wind tunnel experiments, aerodynamic instrumentation, data acquisition, and experimental data analysis. The role provides an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world engineering challenges while supporting the evaluation and development of advanced aerodynamic systems.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
Coursework or project experience involving aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, experimental methods, or aerospace engineering.
Familiarity with engineering data analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, or similar applications.
Ability to interpret technical drawings, engineering specifications, and experimental data.
Strong analytical, mathematical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to organize assigned tasks, work independently when appropriate, and collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance if required by assigned programs.

Nice To Haves

Basic understanding of aerodynamic principles and compressible flow.
Familiarity with wind tunnel testing or other experimental aerospace testing.
Exposure to supersonic or hypersonic aerodynamics, compressible flow, shock waves, or boundary-layer behavior.
Experience with pressure transducers, thermocouples, force balances, or other engineering instrumentation through coursework or projects.
Familiarity with data acquisition systems, sensor calibration, or experimental uncertainty analysis.
Exposure to CFD software or comparing computational predictions with experimental results.
Familiarity with CAD software or the design and integration of test articles.
Experience with laboratory research, engineering projects, or technical report writing.

Responsibilities

Assist with planning and preparing aerodynamic tests, including wind tunnel experiments and other ground-based testing activities.
Support development of test plans, procedures, test matrices, and technical documentation.
Assist with preparing, configuring, and integrating aerodynamic test models, test articles, and associated instrumentation.
Help establish test configurations, operating conditions, and data acquisition requirements.
Support collection, processing, and analysis of experimental data related to pressure distributions, aerodynamic forces, moments, and flow characteristics.
Assist with operating and troubleshooting instrumentation and data acquisition systems under engineering supervision.
Help compare experimental results with engineering calculations and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions.
Prepare test summaries, technical reports, presentations, and other engineering documentation.
Participate in test readiness reviews, design reviews, and technical meetings.
Collaborate with aerodynamics, mechanical design, systems engineering, and technical operations teams to resolve testing challenges.
Assist with improving test procedures, data quality, and testing efficiency.
Follow established safety procedures, quality standards, and program requirements.