Flight Test Engineering Intern

Job Description

Flight Test Engineering Intern | Mach Industries

The Tone:
This is an internship at Mach Industries, located in Huntington Beach, CA. Mach Industries is a rapidly growing defense technology company focused on developing next-generation autonomous defense platforms. The company’s mission is to deliver scalable, decentralized defense systems that enhance the strategic capabilities of the United States and its allies, operating with startup agility and ambition. This role contributes to the development, testing, and validation of advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) platforms, directly supporting the company’s vision to redefine the future of warfare through cutting-edge manufacturing and national security focus.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Huntington Beach, CA (On-site)

• Mission: This person will help develop and execute test plans, prepare hardware, and support flight activities for cutting-edge flight test operations.
• Tech Stack: Mission Planner, QGroundControl

What You’ll Actually Do
• Planning: Assist in planning and executing flight tests, including pre-flight preparations, readiness reviews, and post-flight data analysis.
• Procedure Development: Support the development of test procedures, safety checklists, and test plans under guidance from the Flight Test and Systems Engineering teams.
• Test Site Operations: Participate in test site setup and operations, which includes preparing ground control systems, telemetry, and test equipment.
• Data Management: Collect, organize, and process flight data for engineering review and validation purposes.
• Field Support: Travel to test sites to support aircraft testing, operations, and demonstrations.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Must be enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program from an accredited college or university in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 3+ months of applied engineering experience, applicable from internships, laboratory work, or personal/team projects. A preferred qualification includes 6+ months of experience applying technical skills outside of the classroom in areas like research or extracurricular project teams.
• Skills: Strong understanding of flight mechanics, instrumentation, and basic control systems. Familiarity with aircraft systems and operational safety principles. This role also requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail, alongside excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a professional team environment.
• Bonus: A GPA of 3.5 or above is preferred. Candidates with experience involving UAVs, RC aircraft, or flight simulators are strongly considered. Familiarity with data acquisition, telemetry, or ground control systems such as Mission Planner or QGroundControl is a plus. Holding a Private Pilot License, Part 107 certification, or actively pursuing one is also beneficial. An interest in test operations, fieldwork, hands-on experimentation, and an eagerness to learn and adapt are highly valued.