Mechanical Engineering Intern / Co-op, Rocket Motors - Fall 2026

Who We Are:

GITAI is a vertically integrated space and defense company building hardware for low-Earth-orbit missions. Its engineering teams design, build, integrate, and test hardware in-house across satellite buses, in-orbit servicing robotics, and mission hardware.

Your Mission:

As a Mechanical Engineering Intern / Co-op, you will develop hardware for the Space-Based Interceptor program, including satellite bus components, rocket motor hardware, mechanical interfaces, prototypes, ground support equipment, and test fixtures. You will take hardware from concept through CAD, drawings, manufacturing, assembly, inspection, testing, troubleshooting, and design iteration. You will work with technicians, suppliers, and test sites and take ownership of real work amid changing priorities.

What You’ll Drive:

• Own scoped mechanical hardware through design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and iteration.
• Design and update components, assemblies, interfaces, prototypes, ground support equipment, and test fixtures using 3D CAD and engineering drawings.
• Work with engineers, technicians, machinists, suppliers, and test personnel to turn incomplete requirements into testable hardware.
• Support fabrication, assembly, inspection, integration, instrumentation, data collection, teardown, and post-test inspection.
• Investigate manufacturing problems, integration issues, and test failures and apply lessons to later iterations.
• Document configurations, design decisions, build issues, test results, and lessons learned.

What We’re Looking For:

• Current enrollment in a bachelor’s or master’s program in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related field.
• At least one year of sustained participation in a technically rigorous student engineering project with meaningful hands-on involvement.
• Experience taking hardware through design, fabrication, assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and redesign.
• Experience using a professional 3D CAD system and reading mechanical drawings; SolidWorks is preferred.
• Willingness to work hard, learn quickly, accept feedback, work across functions, and perform hands-on work.
• Ability to raise problems early, ask clear questions, and work through ambiguity and setbacks.
• Ability to work fully onsite in Torrance, California.
• U.S. citizenship due to potential access to export-controlled and government-controlled information.

Strong plus experience includes satellite hardware, rocket propulsion, solid rocket motors, robotics, mechanisms, pressure systems, aerospace test equipment, GD&T, tolerance analysis, machining, sheet metal, composites, welding, additive manufacturing, bonded assemblies, mechanical testing, instrumentation, data acquisition, structural analysis, thermal analysis, and working with machinists, technicians, suppliers, or manufacturing vendors.

Important Notice:

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.; this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Export-control requirements may require U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence, refugee or asylum status, or other required authorizations. GITAI USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.