Mission Design Intern

Intuitive Machines LLC • Houston, TX

23h • Onsite

About The Position

Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. We believe our mission is to further research, communications, and exploration beyond low lunar orbit. With multiple NASA lunar missions in the making and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting NASA, our customers and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, mission design, and safety.

Intuitive Machines is seeking a dynamic individual to join our team as a Mission Design Intern. This internship is tailored for students pursuing degrees in aerospace engineering, astrodynamics, physics, or related technical backgrounds. As a Mission Design Intern, you will have the opportunity to work on challenging problems involving trajectory design, orbital mechanics, maneuver planning, and mission analysis for lunar and cislunar missions.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a bachelors or masters program in aerospace engineering, physics, astrodynamics, or a related field.
• Strong interest in orbital mechanics, trajectory optimization, and space mission design.
• Coursework in orbital mechanics, numerical methods, and linear algebra required; experience with trajectory design tools is a plus.
• Proficiency in programming languages relevant to aerospace analysis (e.g., Python, MATLAB).
• Effective communication and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and analysis of spacecraft trajectories for lunar and cislunar missions.
• Assist in the development of mission concepts, including launch window analysis, transfer trajectory design, and orbit insertion strategies.
• Perform ΔV budgeting and maneuver planning for various mission phases.
• Support trade studies evaluating mission performance, fuel usage, and operational constraints.
• Use industry-standard tools (e.g., STK, GMAT, MATLAB, Python, SPICE) to model and simulate orbital trajectories and mission scenarios.
• Conduct Monte Carlo analyses to assess trajectory dispersions and mission robustness.
• Collaborate with Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC), propulsion, and systems engineering teams to ensure mission feasibility and integration.
• Maintain detailed documentation of mission analyses, assumptions, and simulation results.

Benefits

• Gain hands-on experience in trajectory design and mission analysis for real lunar and cislunar missions.
• Learn from experienced mission designers and aerospace professionals, expanding your knowledge and skillset.
• Build valuable connections within the aerospace community and participate in company events.
• Receive mentorship and guidance from seasoned professionals, helping shape your future career path.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern