Mechanical Engineering Intern

Overview Energy is a mission-driven team committed to building a new layer of energy infrastructure: satellites in geosynchronous orbit that redirect solar energy to terrestrial solar projects via passively safe near-infrared light. Were in the earliest phase where the ground beacon our satellites will point to is designed end-to-end by a small dedicated team. Headquartered in the Northern Virginia / Washington DC area and backed by world-class investors we are advancing the next generation of clean energy technology.

Were looking for a Mechanical Engineering Intern to design the structure that carries our ground beacon system including transportation of the system from the lab to the field test.

The beacon and its system components all have to travel together set up fast and stay co-located with our observational telescope. Portable modular and rigid are competing goals. Youll own that trade and defend it. Alongside the mounting youll characterize what the environment does to the installed system so we know how much of the pointing error budget the structure is spending.

This internship supports our program under a Department of War energy investment program. Youll work directly with the optics team to ensure the structure design meets the optical beacon requirements.

• Design system mounting for three states: pre-delivery in transit and installed at the test site

• Trade portability and modularity against stiffness and alignment retention and document the reasoning behind the design you pick

• Design a transportable platform to house beacon equipment

• Build parametric CAD models and produce drawings a machine shop can quote and manufacture

• Analyze environmental effects on the installed system including temperature and wind loading and quantify the impact on pointing stability

• Characterize transportation effects - shock vibration and handling - and recommend mitigations

• Support setup teardown and field checkout with the optics team

• Currently enrolled in a bachelors or masters program in mechanical engineering aerospace engineering or a closely related field with an expected graduation in Spring 2027

• Working proficiency in CAD NX preferred

• Coursework in statics mechanics of materials and vibrations

• Hands-on fabrication or assembly experience: machine shop Formula SAE robotics research lab or your own builds

• Able to commit 5-10 hours per week from September 2026 through March 2027 on-site in Northern Virginia

• FEA experience for static modal or random vibration analysis (NX / NASTRAN)

• Exposure to shock and vibration testing or to transportation environment standards such as MIL-STD-810

• GD&T fluency and practical DFM/DFA judgment

• Experience designing optomechanical mounts kinematic mounts or other alignment-critical hardware

• Demonstrated interest in defense space or energy applications

This is a paid part-time internship running September 2026 through March 2027 at 5-10 hours per week based on-site at our Northern Virginia headquarters. Hourly rate: $30-$40.

Youll be mentored directly by the engineers running the program and your work is a funded DoW deliverable not a side project.

This position is subject to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Candidates must be a U.S. citizen lawful permanent resident 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.

Overview Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on merit competence and qualifications without regard to race color religion gender national origin ethnicity veteran status disability age sexual orientation gender identity marital status or any other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process please contact us at

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented groups often only apply for roles where they meet every listed qualification. If you believe you can succeed in this role we encourage you to apply - even if you dont check every box.

Required Experience:

Intern