Mechanical Engineer Intern

Job Description:

AMA is accepting applications for an on-site summer internship position at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. Work will be in support of the Entry Systems and Vehicle Development Branch at NASA. The successful candidate will play an important role in the direct application of technologies and capabilities to design, develop, test, and prototype atmospheric Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) systems.

Responsibilities:

NASA ARC is seeking support for thermal protection and entry systems projects, including SPEED (Stratospheric Projectile Experiment of Entry Dynamics):

* Design, prototyping, integration and testing of capsule ejection mechanisms and subsystems

* Development and analysis of entry capsules for flight tests

* CAD modeling and documentation of flight hardware designs

* Fabrication and testing support for prototype entry vehicles

* Collaboration with engineering teams on entry system technologies

* Support for ground test campaigns and flight test preparations

* Documentation of design analyses and test results

Hourly rate for this position is $29.50 to $33.50 per hour based on education level.

Required Qualifications:

* Currently enrolled or attended within the last 6 months as an undergraduate or graduate student at an ABET-accredited university

* Major in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related engineering discipline

* Demonstrated mechanical design and prototyping experience

* CAD experience (SolidWorks, PTC/Creo, NX, or similar)

* Strong problem-solving and analytical skills

* Excellent written and verbal communication skills

* Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Preferred Qualifications:

* Design for manufacturing experience

* Hands-on experience with machine shop tools and fabrication methods

* Experience with 3D printing and rapid prototyping

* Experience with spaceflight hardware development concepts

* Experience with mechanism design and multi-body dynamics analysis

* Knowledge of aerospace structural design principles

* Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) tools

* Familiarity with systems integration and assembly processes

* Understanding of aerodynamic vehicle design principles

Nice to Have:

* Experience with entry system technologies or atmospheric flight vehicles

* Knowledge of thermal and structural testing methods

* Background in materials selection for aerospace applications

* Familiarity with flight test operations and instrumentation

* Experience with separation mechanisms or pyrotechnic devices

* Knowledge of capsule recovery systems

* Previous internship experience at NASA or aerospace industry

* Involvement in student design competitions or hands-on engineering projects

* Experience with composite materials and fabrication techniques

Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. AMA is a small business with a wide reach; headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Greenbelt, MD; Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. With over 60 years of experience, AMA specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions. We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, and a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options.

AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive. To learn more about our company, please visit our website at www.ama-inc.com/careers and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

AMA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws.