Mechanical Engineering Co-op

Xona Space Systems • Burlingame, CA

1d • $30 - $45 • Onsite

About The Position

Xona is a navigational intelligence company developing Pulsar, a low Earth orbit PNT satellite infrastructure intended to provide precise, robust, global positioning. As a Mechanical Engineering Co-op, you will be an embedded member of the Spacecraft Mechanical and Thermal team, contributing to tools, systems, and hardware used in spacecraft production and integration.

This is a six-month, full-time co-op for students with hands-on mechanical engineering experience from a prior internship, co-op, research role, or similarly rigorous engineering project. You will own meaningful work across design, manufacturing, validation, and implementation, working with experienced engineers in a fast-paced startup environment. The position is on-site in Burlingame and includes work in both office and laboratory or manufacturing environments.

Applicants must be currently pursuing a BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, with expected graduation between December 2026 and May 2028. The posting also describes country-specific eligibility and security requirements: U.S. roles require qualifying U.S. status under space technology export regulations; U.K. roles require BPSS checks and eligibility for SC clearance; and Canadian roles require reliability-status clearance and security assessment for the Controlled Goods Program and ITAR.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field, with expected graduation between December 2026 and May 2028.
• Completed at least one prior internship or co-op in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a closely related hardware-engineering role.
• Demonstrated experience designing, building, testing, or supporting mechanical hardware beyond coursework alone.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks or similar 3D CAD software.
• Ability to create or interpret mechanical drawings and basic engineering documentation.
• Working knowledge of mechanical design fundamentals, including material selection, fastening, tolerancing, load paths, and design tradeoffs.
• Ability to commit to a full-time, six-month co-op.
• Comfortable working in both office and hands-on laboratory or manufacturing environments.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to work on-site in Burlingame throughout the co-op.
• For U.S. roles, must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
• For U.K. roles, must undergo BPSS checks and be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC).
• For Canada roles, must obtain and hold reliability-status security clearance and pass security assessment for the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGP) and ITAR.

Nice To Haves

• Experience designing and releasing hardware for fabrication, including drawings, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and/or bills of materials.
• Familiarity with DFM/DFA principles and manufacturing processes such as machining, sheet metal, additive manufacturing, composites, or assembly processes.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical assembly, integration, test, troubleshooting, or validation.
• Experience with structural analysis, hand calculations, FEA, or test-data analysis.
• Experience in a fast-paced hardware environment, such as robotics, CubeSat teams, Formula SAE, aerospace, research laboratories, or manufacturing.
• Interest in spacecraft, aerospace, and high-reliability hardware development.

Responsibilities

• Own the design and development of mechanical hardware supporting spacecraft manufacturing, integration, and test activities.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, and operations teams to define requirements and develop practical design solutions.
• Create detailed CAD models, manufacturing drawings, and engineering documentation.
• Perform engineering analyses to validate structural, mechanical, and packaging performance.
• Coordinate fabrication, procurement, assembly, and integration of designed hardware.
• Support integration, testing, verification, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Participate in design reviews and cross-functional engineering discussions.
• Communicate technical progress, tradeoffs, risks, and final results to engineering leadership.

Benefits

• Six months of immersive experience alongside experienced aerospace engineers.
• Opportunity to take ownership of engineering work that directly supports spacecraft production.
• Experience across the hardware-development cycle, from requirements and design through fabrication, integration, testing, and deployment.
• Opportunity to see projects progress from concept through operational deployment.
• Collaborative environment with meaningful technical ownership.
• Practical, career-relevant experience in spacecraft and high-reliability hardware development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern