Mechanical Engineering Intern

Location: Ashburn HQ Department: Space Systems Employment Type: FullTime Location Type: On-site

About Overview Energy Overview Energy is a mission-driven team committed to building a new layer of energy infrastructure: satellites in geosynchronous orbit that redirect solar energy to terrestrial solar projects via passively safe near-infrared light. We're in the earliest phase, where the ground beacon our satellites will point to is designed end-to-end by a small, dedicated team. Headquartered in the Northern Virginia / Washington, DC area and backed by world-class investors, we are advancing the next generation of clean energy technology.

About the Role We're looking for a Mechanical Engineering Intern to design the structure that carries our ground beacon system, including transportation of the system from the lab to the field test.

The beacon and its system components all have to travel together, set up fast, and stay co-located with our observational telescope. Portable, modular, and rigid are competing goals. You'll own that trade and defend it. Alongside the mounting, you'll characterize what the environment does to the installed system so we know how much of the pointing error budget the structure is spending.

This internship supports our program under a Department of War energy investment program. You'll work directly with the optics team to ensure the structure design meets the optical beacon requirements.

What You'll Do

Design system mounting for three states: pre-delivery, in transit, and installed at the test site

Trade portability and modularity against stiffness and alignment retention, and document the reasoning behind the design you pick

Design a transportable platform to house beacon equipment

Build parametric CAD models and produce drawings a machine shop can quote and manufacture

Analyze environmental effects on the installed system, including temperature and wind loading, and quantify the impact on pointing stability

Characterize transportation effects - shock, vibration, and handling - and recommend mitigations

Support setup, teardown, and field checkout with the optics team

What We're Looking For From You

Currently enrolled in a bachelor's or master's program in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a closely related field with an expected graduation in Spring 2027

Working proficiency in CAD, NX preferred

Coursework in statics, mechanics of materials, and vibrations

Hands-on fabrication or assembly experience: machine shop, Formula SAE, robotics, research lab, or your own builds

Able to commit 5-10 hours per week from September 2026 through March 2027, on-site in Northern Virginia

We Have a Strong Preference For

FEA experience for static, modal, or random vibration analysis (NX / NASTRAN)

Exposure to shock and vibration testing, or to transportation environment standards such as MIL-STD-810

GD&T fluency and practical DFM/DFA judgment

Experience designing optomechanical mounts, kinematic mounts, or other alignment-critical hardware

Demonstrated interest in defense, space, or energy applications

Internship Details This is a paid, part-time internship running September 2026 through March 2027 at 5-10 hours per week, based on-site at our Northern Virginia headquarters. Hourly rate: $30-$40.

You'll be mentored directly by the engineers running the program, and your work is a funded DoW deliverable, not a side project.

ITAR Requirements This position is subject to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, 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 Overview Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact us at [email protected].

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented groups often only apply for roles where they meet every listed qualification. If you believe you can succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply - even if you don't check every box.