2026 Fall Internship - Mechanical / Aerospace
About The Position
Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us. Vast offers an advanced internship program with hands-on opportunities to design and build space hardware and software. You will play a crucial role in the development and build of the systems that will be required for the operation of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations. Our interns are mentored by industry experts to solve challenging real-world engineering problems across our hiring teams. This is a 12 week fall internship at our office in Long Beach, CA.
Requirements
- Qualified candidates must be enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master’s degree program from an accredited college or university in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or other related engineering discipline.
- Ability to work full-time onsite in Long Beach, CA.
- Must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing (U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending).
Nice To Haves
- Application of technical skills outside of the classroom (examples include: extracurricular projects, volunteering, personal projects, laboratory research, or prior internship/work experience)
- Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA) for 3D modeling and simulation
- Attention to detail
- Strong engineering problem solving capabilities
- Basic knowledge of engineering and equipment
- Working knowledge of analysis tools
- Ability to collaborate across different teams
- Self-directed with a positive attitude and team spirit
Responsibilities
- Responsibilities will vary depending on each intern’s area of expertise.
- Design and build space hardware and software.
- Play a crucial role in the development and build of the systems that will be required for the operation of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.
- Solve challenging real-world engineering problems across our hiring teams.
Benefits
- company equity
- medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents
- generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually
- paid parental leave
- short and long-term disability insurance
- life insurance
- access to a 401(k) retirement plan
- ClassPass credits
- personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health
- other discounts and perks
- snacks, drip coffee & onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge
- lunch subsidized
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
