Environmental Test Engineering Intern (Summer 2027)

About the role

Summer internships will range between the months of May and September depending on university schedules. Internship is full-time and on-site in San Jose, California.

The Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) team at Muon is responsible for validating spacecraft hardware through unit acceptance testing as well as spacecraft-level integration and environmental testing. As an Environmental Test Engineering Intern, you will support the planning, setup, execution, and analysis of environmental tests used to validate spacecraft hardware against the extreme conditions of launch and space.

You will work alongside experienced environmental test engineers, test engineers, and technicians to prepare hardware and test equipment, develop and execute test procedures, collect and analyze test data, and troubleshoot test issues. This is a hands-on opportunity to gain experience with spacecraft environmental testing and see your work directly contribute to the successful integration and launch of Muon spacecraft.

Muon is a small and fast growing startup which offers interns the experience to get direct mentorship and have real impact on our programs. As an intern, you'll collaborate with a dynamic team in a startup environment and have the chance to learn from some of the most accomplished and experienced aerospace professionals in the industry. We're committed to offering an experience where your decisions and contributions play a pivotal role in driving Muon's success.

Responsibilities

Assist environmental test engineers with the planning, preparation, and execution of spacecraft and subsystem environmental testing, including thermal vacuum, vibration, acoustic, and other qualification or acceptance testing.

Support test setup and instrumentation, including thermocouples, accelerometers, pressure sensors, and other test measurement equipment.

Assist with preparing spacecraft hardware, fixtures, ground support equipment, and test configurations for environmental test campaigns.

Execute functional checkouts and test procedures under engineer supervision before, during, and after environmental testing.

Monitor test operations and hardware performance, identify anomalies, and support troubleshooting and root-cause investigations.

Collect, process, and perform preliminary analysis of environmental test data to verify hardware performance and test requirements.

Support development and improvement of test procedures, test processes, checklists, and laboratory workflows.

Assist with configuration and operation of environmental test equipment and data acquisition systems.

Support automation and scripting efforts to improve environmental test setup, monitoring, data collection, and analysis.

Generate test documentation, data summaries, and reports under the guidance of environmental test engineers.

Support integration and handling of spacecraft hardware and ground support equipment in cleanroom, laboratory, and environmental test facilities.

Help maintain a safe, organized, and flight-hardware-ready test environment.

Qualifications

Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.

Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals, particularly in areas such as mechanics, thermal systems, dynamics, instrumentation, or electrical systems.

Demonstrated interest in spacecraft environmental testing, laboratory testing, or hardware development.

Experience with a programming or scripting language for data analysis or test automation, such as Python, MATLAB/Simulink, Julia, or C++.

Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to approach complex technical challenges from a first-principles perspective.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with an ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative team environment.

Ability and willingness to work hands-on with engineering hardware and test equipment.

Nice-to-have Skills

Previous internship, co-op, research, or laboratory experience involving hardware testing.

Experience with thermal vacuum, vibration, acoustic, shock, or other environmental testing.

Experience with data acquisition systems, instrumentation, sensors, or test equipment.

Experience developing test procedures, test plans, or test reports.

Experience with accelerometers, thermocouples, pressure transducers, strain gauges, or similar instrumentation.

Experience with Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or other tools used for test automation and data analysis.

Previous experience on technical project teams such as a CubeSat, rocketry, Formula SAE, Solar Car, or other hardware-focused engineering project.

Familiarity with spacecraft systems or subsystems and environmental test requirements.

Experience with hardware integration, troubleshooting, or hardware-in-the-loop testing.

Pay range

Bachelor's students $40/hour

Master's $45/hour

PhD $50/hour