Mechanical Engineering Intern / Co-op

GITAI is a space robotics company working to reduce the cost of work in space by 100x. We develop robotic systems for orbital, lunar, and defense applications, focusing on tasks such as assembly, inspection, maintenance, construction, and surface operations in environments where human labor is expensive, dangerous, or impractical. Our approach keeps hardware, software, testing, and integration close together to move fast and drive costs down.

About the Role

As a Mechanical Engineering Intern / Co-op at GITAI, you will join the team developing hardware for our Space-Based Interceptor program. Depending on program needs, you may work on satellite bus components, rocket motor hardware, mechanical interfaces, prototypes, ground support equipment, or test fixtures. You will take a defined piece of hardware from an early concept into the real world, handling tasks such as CAD and drawings, manufacturing, assembly, inspection, testing, and design updates. The work is fast-paced and hands-on, involving collaboration with engineers, technicians, suppliers, and test personnel.

Responsibilities

• Own clearly scoped mechanical hardware through design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and iteration.
• Design and update mechanical components, assemblies, interfaces, prototypes, ground support equipment, and test fixtures using 3D CAD and engineering drawings.
• Work directly with engineers, technicians, machinists, suppliers, and test personnel to turn incomplete requirements and early concepts into buildable and testable hardware.
• Support hands-on fabrication, assembly, inspection, integration, and test activities, including hardware setup, instrumentation, data collection, teardown, and post-test inspection.
• Investigate manufacturing problems, integration issues, and test failures, then quickly apply lessons learned to the next hardware iteration.
• Document hardware configurations, design decisions, build issues, test results, and lessons learned.
• Support field tests outside the Torrance office when required.

Requirements

• Current enrollment in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related field.
• At least one year of sustained participation in a technically rigorous student engineering project (e.g., Formula SAE, rocketry, CubeSat, robotics, Baja SAE, or Design-Build-Fly) with meaningful hands-on involvement.
• Experience taking hardware through several stages of development, such as design, fabrication, assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and redesign.
• Experience using a professional 3D CAD system and reading mechanical drawings (SolidWorks preferred but not required).
• Willingness to work hard, learn quickly, take direct feedback, and move across functional boundaries to advance hardware development.
• Judgment to raise problems early, ask clear questions, and work through ambiguity, setbacks, and changing priorities.
• Ability to work fully onsite at GITAI’s office in Torrance, California.
• U.S. citizenship due to potential access to export-controlled and government-controlled information.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Location & Schedule

This is a part-time, temporary, non-exempt position based in Torrance, CA (onsite). Travel to test sites, including Mojave and locations throughout the greater Los Angeles area, is expected based on program needs. Typical work hours are Monday to Friday, approximately 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM, with flexibility required based on mission schedules and program needs.

Pay

Compensation ranges from $25 to $40 per hour, determined based on academic level, relevant technical experience, and demonstrated hands-on engineering capability.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. and must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum to comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations.