Mechanical Engineering Intern / Co-op (Rocket Motors)

Location: Torrance, California, United States; fully onsite. Travel to test sites, including Mojave and locations throughout the greater Los Angeles area, is expected based on program needs.

Salary: $25–$40 per hour.

Company

hirify.global is a vertically integrated space and defense company developing hardware for low-Earth-orbit missions, including satellite buses, in-orbit servicing robotics, and mission systems.

What you will do

• Own scoped mechanical hardware through design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and iteration.
• Create and update mechanical 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 early concepts and incomplete requirements into buildable hardware.
• Support hands-on fabrication, assembly, inspection, integration, instrumentation, data collection, teardown, and post-test inspection.
• Investigate manufacturing problems, integration issues, and test failures, then apply findings to subsequent hardware iterations.
• Document configurations, design decisions, build issues, test results, and lessons learned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related field, completed or expected during 2027.
• 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 with a professional 3D CAD system and the ability to read mechanical drawings; SolidWorks is preferred but not required.
• Ability to work fully onsite in Torrance, California, with travel to test sites as required.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; U.S. citizenship or another qualifying ITAR authorization is required. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Nice to have

• Experience with satellite hardware, rocket propulsion, solid rocket motors, robotics, mechanisms, pressure systems, or aerospace test equipment.
• Experience owning a component or subsystem through multiple design, build, test, and redesign cycles.
• Familiarity with GD&T, tolerance analysis, machining, sheet metal, composites, welding, additive manufacturing, or bonded assemblies.
• Experience with mechanical testing, instrumentation, data acquisition, structural analysis, or thermal analysis.
• Experience working directly with machinists, technicians, suppliers, or manufacturing vendors.

Culture & Benefits

• Part-time, temporary, non-exempt employment.
• Typical onsite hours are Monday through Friday, approximately 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Flexibility is expected based on mission schedules and program needs.
• Work in a vertically integrated environment where electrical, mechanical, software, manufacturing, integration, and test teams collaborate closely.
• Direct hands-on exposure to real space and defense hardware from concept through testing.