Mechanical Engineer Intern (Summer 2026)

About Northwood

Northwood is on a mission to transform connectivity between earth and space and bring the benefits of space to the masses through innovations in space communications technologies. If you are passionate about learning, building quickly, and seeing your work contribute to real-world impact, we want you at Northwood.

Role

Northwood is seeking a motivated Mechanical Design Engineer Intern to join our dynamic team, assisting in the design of structures, systems, tooling, and other products for our ground station antennas. This internship will provide hands-on experience in designing and developing hardware that will be deployed globally, as well as fabrication and assembly tooling, test fixtures, and more. You will work closely with RF engineers, electrical engineers, manufacturing engineers, and software engineers under the guidance of senior team members.

Responsibilities

• Assist in designing components for product lines, structures, mechanisms, environmental systems, and ground support equipment (GSE) for satellite ground stations, focusing on performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

• Contribute to the design of tooling for fabrication and assembly processes, including test fixtures and weldments.

• Collaborate with RF, electrical, and manufacturing teams to support system requirements and integration of designs and hardware.

• Participate in design reviews, providing input and incorporating feedback to meet design objectives.

• Assist in ensuring compliance with industry standards, regulations, and best practices in mechanical, thermal, and environmental design.

Basic Qualifications

• Current enrollment in a Bachelor’s degree program in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.

• Basic understanding of mechanical design principles, including thermal management, materials selection, and structural analysis.

• Familiarity with CAD software (e.g., Siemens NX, SolidWorks, or similar) for 3D modeling and drafting.

• Strong interest in manufacturing processes and design for manufacturability.

• Enthusiasm for learning and contributing to innovative hardware projects.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with Siemens NX for 3D modeling, assembly, and drafting.

• Basic knowledge of environmental and reliability testing procedures for mechanical systems.

• Exposure to weldments, tooling, GSE, or fixture design and assembly.

• Familiarity with mechanical/thermal simulation tools (e.g., ANSYS).

• Basic understanding of electrical or RF systems to support a holistic approach to system design.

• Strong problem-solving skills and eagerness to learn from experienced engineers.

Additional Information

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.

Northwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood is governed on the basis of 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.