Mechanical Engineer Intern

Job Description:

AMA is accepting applications for two on-site summer internship positions 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 candidates 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 ADEPT (Adaptable Deployable Entry and Placement Technology):

• Development and analysis of ADEPT aeroshell deployment mechanisms

• Design and prototyping of drag modulated entry drag skirt release mechanisms

• Development of mass estimation tools for entry system components

• Mechanical design and analysis for spaceflight hardware development

• CAD modeling and documentation of flight hardware designs

• Investigation and design of capsule ejection mechanisms

• Fabrication and testing support for prototype mechanisms

• Collaboration with engineering teams on entry system technologies

• Support for ground test campaigns

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:

• Demonstrated experience with heat shield technologies and thermal protection systems

• Design for manufacturing experience

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

• Experience with spaceflight hardware development concepts

• Experience with mechanism design and multi-body dynamics analysis

• Knowledge of aerospace structural design principles

• Familiarity with deployable structures or mechanisms

• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) tools

Nice to Have:

• Experience with entry system technologies or atmospheric flight vehicles

• Knowledge of thermal and structural testing methods

• Experience with 3D printing and rapid prototyping

• Background in materials selection for aerospace applications

• Previous internship experience at NASA or aerospace industry

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

US citizenship or Permanent Residency required

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.