Crew Systems Engineering Intern - Mechanical/Structures

The Exploration Company
Houston, US

Who this role is best for

Best suited to engineering students with hands-on project experience who are eager to work on crewed space vehicle prototypes in Houston.

Best fit for

  • Engineering students with hands-on prototyping experience in mechanical systems.
    — “Strong hands-on project experience through student teams, work projects, personal projects, or hobbies
  • Self-starters comfortable with rapid hardware development and testing.
    — “Conduct rapid hands-on prototype development, including designing and building mockups and functional systems
  • Candidates excited about human-in-the-loop evaluations of space systems.
    — “Conduct qualitative and quantitative human-in-the-loop evaluations of Nyx Crew systems

Things to consider

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or current Green Card holder.
    — “applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
  • Full-time commitment required for at least 12 weeks starting September 2026.
    — “able to work full-time for a period of at least 12 weeks, beginning in September 2026

How to stand out

  • Highlight any experience with CAD modeling or structural analysis.
    — “CAD modeling, structures and loads analysis, ECLSS modeling
  • Emphasize experiences where you worked independently on technical challenges.
    — “Independent, self-starter attitude
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · TeamLevel · Intern

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Conduct rapid hands-on prototype development
  • Conduct qualitative and quantitative human-in-the-loop evaluations
  • Support hardware integration, manufacturing, and integration activities
Typical background
Undergraduate or graduate studies in engineering, applied physics, computer science, or a related fieldStrong hands-on project experience

Skills & requirements

Required

Hands-on Prototype DevelopmentQualitative And Quantitative Human-in-the-loop EvaluationsHardware IntegrationManufacturingIntegration And TestRequirements DefinitionConceptual DesignCAD ModelingStructures And Loads AnalysisEclss Modeling

Preferred

Experience In Space Vehicle Development

Stack & domain

EngineeringApplied PhysicsComputer ScienceCad ModelingStructures And Loads AnalysisEclss ModelingManufacturingIntegration And TestHands-on Project ExperienceIndependentSelf-starterSpace Orbital VehicleReusable SpacecraftHuman-in-the-loop Evaluations

About the role

Original posting from The Exploration Company via Ashby

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run.

As a Nyx Crew Systems Engineering Intern, Mechanical/Structures, you will be at the forefront of our crewed vehicle development. You will be instrumental in enabling our mission by leading the development of requirements, implementing early hardware prototypes, and testing Nyx Crew systems designs.

Key Responsibilities:

In your role as the Nyx Crew Systems Engineering Intern, Mechanical/Structures, your day-to-day duties will include:

  • Conduct rapid hands-on prototype development, including designing and building mockups and functional systems
  • Conduct qualitative and quantitative human-in-the-loop evaluations of Nyx Crew systems
  • Supporting hardware integration, manufacturing, and integration activities
  • Support the US engineering office with tasks related to the Nyx Crew vehicle mechanical and structural systems, including:
  • Requirements definition
  • Conceptual design
  • CAD modeling, structures and loads analysis, ECLSS modeling
  • Manufacturing, integration and test

Desired Qualifications:

Applicants should be currently enrolled students able to work full-time for a period of at least 12 weeks, beginning in September 2026.

Strong candidates will have:

  • Undergraduate or graduate studies in engineering, applied physics, computer science, or a related field
  • Strong hands-on project experience through student teams, work projects, personal projects, or hobbies
  • Independent, self-starter attitude

Due to federal regulations (e.g., ITAR/EAR), applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (e.g., current Green Card holders).

Location: Houston, TX.

Why you should join us!

What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:  

  • We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind 
  • We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them  
  • We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?  

We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly. 

The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.  

All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, which will be subject to the country, role, and project you applied for. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree that any offer of employment may be conditional upon successful condition of this check. The Exploration Company partners with Zinc Work Limited located in the UK (Zinc), a third-party provider, to ensure this process as efficient and transparent as possible.

If applicable, you will receive an email from Zinc upon acceptance of your offer with a link to a secure portal where you can provide the required information to Zinc.

Source: The Exploration Company careers (Ashby)

Similar roles