Engineering Internship – Ground Support Equipment (GSE)

About Firefly Aerospace

Firefly Aerospace is a leading end-to-end responsive space transportation company, dedicated to enabling our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. We provide comprehensive mission services from low Earth orbit to the surface of the Moon and beyond, serving both government and commercial customers with our advanced launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, we are seeking passionate and hardworking innovators to join our team and contribute to our successful trajectory into space.

Job Summary

Firefly offers year-round engineering-focused internship opportunities across our Texas locations. We welcome applications from both current undergraduates and recent graduates (BS or MS programs). As a Firefly Intern, you will play a crucial role in supporting our Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Engineers through all stages of system design, construction, and activation.

This role is ideal for candidates with knowledge in areas such as Mechanical Engineering Design, Electrical Engineering, Fluid System Design, Operations, Controls, or Construction. You will gain invaluable design experience by developing novel solutions to challenging problems. Success in this position requires a high degree of creativity, flexibility, and collaboration. The ability to communicate effectively within diverse, multi-disciplinary, and multi-cultural teams, often with differing technical backgrounds, is absolutely essential.

Key Responsibilities

Interns will contribute across the full lifecycle of Ground Support Equipment, including:

• Design & Development:
  • Engaging in preliminary concept generation and architectural layout.
  • Performing sizing, costing, and detailed design work.
  • Creating engineering drawings and documentation.
• Construction Support:
  • Reviewing designs with technicians to ensure manufacturability.
  • Writing clear and concise work instructions for fabrication and assembly.
  • Conducting work inspections to maintain quality and adherence to specifications.
• System Activation & Handoff:
  • Writing, reviewing, and executing checkout procedures for new equipment.
  • Participating in customer handoff meetings.
  • Assisting with final system documentation.
• Problem Solving:
  • Applying fundamental engineering principles to provide novel solutions for technically challenging problems within your internship focus area (e.g., Structural Design, Test, Electrical Engineering, Fluid Systems, Test and Launch Operations).

Qualifications

Required:

• Must be currently enrolled in either a BS or MS program (or a recent graduate) at an accredited four-year university or college.
• Willingness to work in a hands-on, constantly evolving environment.
• Detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining focus towards a common goal.
• Strong comprehension of design fundamentals; Aerospace or industry experience is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing.
• Able to effectively prioritize and execute tasks efficiently.

Desired:

Candidates should preferably have a focus or experience in one of the following areas:

• 3D CAD, Structural Analysis & Design.
• Fluid System design, equipment specification, and valves & fitting specification.
• Electrical or Computer Engineering, with knowledge in instrumentation, controls, and data acquisition (DAQ).

Benefits

Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including:

• Generous health, dental, and vision plans with low plan deductibles.
• Parental leave.
• Educational reimbursement.
• Short-term disability.
• Pet Insurance.
• Flexible PTO options.

Export Control Requirements

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.