Aerospace Engineering Intern
About The Position
LiquidPiston, Inc. (LPI) is an advanced technology company developing compact, high-performance rotary engines based on a new thermodynamic cycle. Our propulsion systems are enabling new capabilities in defense, aerospace, and commercial applications. We are now expanding our hybrid-electric propulsion efforts to fixed-wing VTOL/UAS platforms and seeking top talent to join our team. We're looking for a driven and hands-on aerospace engineering intern to join our team in developing and prototyping fixed-wing VTOL and UAS aircraft powered by LiquidPiston's hybrid rotary engine. In this role, you'll collaborate with multidisciplinary engineers to turn early-stage concepts into functional, flight-ready hardware. If you're passionate about cutting-edge aviation, thrive in fast-paced environments, and want to work on systems that actually fly, this is a unique opportunity to make an impact. You're someone who loves building real things-whether it's designing, fabricating, or testing hardware, you're not afraid to get your hands dirty. You bring a strong analytical mindset, think from first principles, and learn best by doing. You take initiative, communicate clearly, and work well both independently and as part of a close-knit team. You're currently pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field, and you have experience with CAD and simulation tools like SolidWorks, CATIA, or ANSYS. Bonus points if you've worked on personal or academic projects involving prototyping, flight systems, or advanced mechanical design.
Requirements
- Currently pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field
- Experience with CAD and simulation tools like SolidWorks, CATIA, or ANSYS
Nice To Haves
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA) focused on composite aircraft structures
- Rapid prototyping with additive manufacturing and composite materials (carbon/glass fiber, epoxy)
- Experience with autonomous or R/C aircraft systems and electromechanical integration
- Strong documentation and presentation skills using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Familiarity with aerospace design constraints and lightweight structural optimization
Responsibilities
- Assist in the design and development of subsystems for fixed-wing VTOL aircraft incorporating LiquidPiston's hybrid engine technology
- Collaborate with design, analysis, testing, and manufacturing teams to support integration and prototyping
- Participate in hands-on assembly, testing, and troubleshooting of mechanical and structural components
- Contribute to documentation and delivery of monthly technical reports to Department of Defense (DoD) partners
- Support technical presentations and maintain organized engineering documentation
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
Industry
Machinery Manufacturing
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
11-50 employees
