Skunkworks Engineer Internship Summer 2026
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Job Location:
Bloomfield, CT - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
20 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Skunkworks Engineer Internship-LiquidPiston
Location: Bloomfield CT (Fully onsite no remote option)
Employment Type: Full-time Internship (Summer 2026 or Fall 2026 co-op preferred; flexible start/end dates possible)
Compensation: Paid
About LiquidPiston:
LiquidPiston is an innovative propulsion technology company reinventing the internal combustion engine through its patented X-Engine architecture and High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle (HEHC). Our compact powerful multi-fuel rotary engines deliver 10 higher power density and up to 30% better efficiency than conventional piston engines while being significantly quieter and lower-vibration.
We serve demanding markets including defense (UAVs portable power) aerospace (hybrid-electric propulsion eVTOL/UAS) and emerging commercial applications. After 15 years of core R&D the company is now scaling toward production and commercialization creating high-impact opportunities for bold fast-moving engineers.
The Skunkworks Team:
Our small high-autonomy Skunkworks group operates with Lockheed-style freedom: rapid prototyping high-risk/high-reward experiments quick iteration and minimal bureaucracy. The team tackles moon-shot variants of the X-Engine platform next-generation fuels (hydrogen low-cetane multi-fuel extremes) ultra-high power density demonstrators novel hybrid integration concepts and classified DoD / DARPA-inspired fast-track projects. Expect messy benches late-night dyno runs 3D-printed parts by breakfast and direct influence on future engine roadmaps.
Internship Overview:
As a Skunkworks Engineer Intern you will work shoulder-to-shoulder with senior engineers and company founders on bleeding-edge rotary engine concepts that conventional automotive/aerospace companies would never touch. This is not a documentation-heavy or narrowly scoped internship its hands-on cross-disciplinary and fast-paced. Ideal for students who thrive in ambiguous high-ownership environments and want real ownership of prototype hardware.
Key Responsibilities:
Location: Bloomfield CT (Fully onsite no remote option)
Employment Type: Full-time Internship (Summer 2026 or Fall 2026 co-op preferred; flexible start/end dates possible)
Compensation: Paid
About LiquidPiston:
LiquidPiston is an innovative propulsion technology company reinventing the internal combustion engine through its patented X-Engine architecture and High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle (HEHC). Our compact powerful multi-fuel rotary engines deliver 10 higher power density and up to 30% better efficiency than conventional piston engines while being significantly quieter and lower-vibration.
We serve demanding markets including defense (UAVs portable power) aerospace (hybrid-electric propulsion eVTOL/UAS) and emerging commercial applications. After 15 years of core R&D the company is now scaling toward production and commercialization creating high-impact opportunities for bold fast-moving engineers.
The Skunkworks Team:
Our small high-autonomy Skunkworks group operates with Lockheed-style freedom: rapid prototyping high-risk/high-reward experiments quick iteration and minimal bureaucracy. The team tackles moon-shot variants of the X-Engine platform next-generation fuels (hydrogen low-cetane multi-fuel extremes) ultra-high power density demonstrators novel hybrid integration concepts and classified DoD / DARPA-inspired fast-track projects. Expect messy benches late-night dyno runs 3D-printed parts by breakfast and direct influence on future engine roadmaps.
Internship Overview:
As a Skunkworks Engineer Intern you will work shoulder-to-shoulder with senior engineers and company founders on bleeding-edge rotary engine concepts that conventional automotive/aerospace companies would never touch. This is not a documentation-heavy or narrowly scoped internship its hands-on cross-disciplinary and fast-paced. Ideal for students who thrive in ambiguous high-ownership environments and want real ownership of prototype hardware.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design assemble and test rapid prototypes of novel X-Engine sub-systems combustors seals or hybrid integration components
- Perform hands-on fabrication using in-house machine shop additive manufacturing (metal polymer) and advanced assembly techniques
- Run experiments on single-cylinder research engines modified multi-cylinder demonstrators or subscale Skunkworks test articles
- Collect and analyze high-speed data (pressure traces high-speed video emissions vibration) to validate bold design choices
- Iterate designs weekly CAD print/machine test learn repeat
- Support classified / customer-funded fast-track projects (U.S. citizenship or permanent residency often required for certain tasks)
- Collaborate across mechanical thermal combustion controls and materials boundaries
- Document key findings in concise memos / one-pagers to influence long-term architecture decisions
- Pursuing B.S. M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field (rising junior or above preferred)
- Demonstrated hands-on prototyping experience ( Formula SAE personal projects research labs rocketry robotics etc.)
- Strong CAD skills (SolidWorks Fusion 360 or similar)
- Comfortable in a machine shop / hands-on lab environment (mill lathe 3D printing basic welding helpful but not required)
- U.S. person status (citizen or permanent resident) many Skunkworks activities involve defense-related hardware
- High tolerance for ambiguity bias toward action
- Prior work with internal combustion engines rotaries or high-performance power systems
- Exposure to additive manufacturing (especially metal DMLS / binder jetting)
- Combustion thermodynamics or high-speed data acquisition experience
- Experience with rapid controls prototyping (dSPACE Speedgoat Arduino/RPi for quick closed-loop demos)
- Aerospace/defense project background (UAVs hybrid propulsion DARPA-style challenges)
- Personal projects involving extreme environments fuels or unconventional engines
- Direct mentorship from company founders and principal engineers
- Ownership of real prototype hardware that could shape the next X-Engine family
- Exposure to classified / cutting-edge DoD and aerospace customers
- Broad skill ramp across design fabrication testing data analysis and systems thinking
- Very strong potential pathway to full-time role post-graduation for top performers
- The chance to say: I built that crazy engine variant in the Skunkworks bay
Required Experience:
Intern
Key Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Public Relations
- Google Docs
- Data Collection
- MailChimp
- Microsoft Word
- Dermal Fillers
- Microsoft Powerpoint
- Research Experience
- Microsoft Excel
- Adobe Photoshop
- Writing Skills
About Company
We patented a new rotary engine that delivers up to 10X more power, 30% more efficient than traditional piston engines, and a perfect fit for hybrid-electric applications.
