Experimental Materials Intern – Fall 2026

Analytical Mechanics Associates•Mountain View, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is seeking three highly motivated and detail-oriented Experimental Materials Interns. These positions support NASA under the Aircraft Systems and Spaceflight Engineering Support Services (ASSESS) contract at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) in Moffett Field, CA. Interns will work on-site within the Thermal Protection Materials (TSM) Branch, part of the Entry Systems and Technology Division at NASA ARC. The positions are expected to start in August 2026 and continue for a minimum of five months. Level of effort can be variable during the school year based on course schedule but may ramp up to full-time during the summer. About the project This internship supports ongoing research and engineering efforts supporting advanced materials testing, additive manufacturing, and plasma/laser diagnostic capabilities. Work spans several interconnected project areas: Materials Testing & Analysis: Development of a Shannon Entropy metric and analysis pipeline for automated detection of "bird nest" defects in 3D Woven Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials, along with a photogrammetry scanning system for cataloging materials following Arc Jet testing. Additive Manufacturing Support: Continued support of resin and ceramic additive manufacturing capabilities, including software configuration, handling of alumina and engineering resins, post-processing of printed parts, and documentation of print defects and performance trends. This includes producing nozzles, plasma test articles, fixtures, and experiment support structures, as well as assisting with CAD design and design-for-printability reviews for MHD and plasma-flow research. ARCTRON System Development: Support for integration design work on the ARCTRON platform, including evaluation of nozzle and printed-material performance, iterative design of a convergent-divergent nozzle for plasma discharge experiments, and continued expansion of data acquisition and test automation capabilities via the STARDAC platform. Laser System Commissioning: Continuation of the commissioning effort for a 2kW laser system, including buildout of an optical enclosure and instrumentation system, and operation of the laser to conduct calorimetry experiments. Interns will collaborate with researchers, contractors, and fellow interns across these efforts, contributing to practical fabrication, experimental setup, documentation, and hands-on evaluation—while working within the broader technical direction of ongoing research projects.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a B.S. degree in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 50 lbs (required for some positions involving fabrication/lab work)
Ability to work on-site at NASA Ames Research Center for the full internship duration
This position require U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency (due to export control requirements)

Nice To Haves

Experience with CAD software and design for additive manufacturing
Familiarity with resin and/or ceramic 3D printing processes and post-processing techniques
Experience with data analysis, scripting, or automation (e.g., Python, MATLAB)
Familiarity with photogrammetry, imaging, or nondestructive evaluation techniques
Knowledge of plasma facilities, optical diagnostics, or laser-based measurement systems
Familiarity with machining tools and techniques, and hands-on fabrication experience
Experience with materials testing in extreme-environment conditions (e.g., Arc Jet, plasma discharge)
Understanding of standard laboratory procedures and safety practices
Ability to work collaboratively with mentors, contractors, and other interns across multidisciplinary projects

Responsibilities

Developing and refining data analysis pipelines (e.g., Shannon Entropy metrics) for automated defect detection in advanced materials
Operating photogrammetry and imaging systems for post-test material cataloging and characterization
Supporting resin and ceramic additive manufacturing, including software setup, material handling, and post-processing of printed parts
Assisting with CAD design and design-for-printability review for test articles, fixtures, and experiment support structures
Supporting integration, design iteration, and performance evaluation of hardware (e.g., nozzles) for plasma and MHD experiments
Assisting with commissioning and operation of laser and plasma test systems, including instrumentation buildout and calorimetry experiments
Contributing to data acquisition and test automation development (e.g., via the STARDAC platform)
Providing regular verbal and written progress updates to a research mentor