Mechanical Engineering Intern

Job Description:

AMA is currently accepting applications for an Aerospace, Mechanical, Engineering intern to assist in the development of a lunar deployment mechanism, which is planned for deployment to the lunar surface. The Summer Intern will work in the Mechanical Systems Branch at NASA Langley Research Center. to develop flight hardware and ground support equipment for the lunar mission. The designed hardware will be used to support power and communications equipment for use by astronauts during lunar sorties.

This internship begins June 1, 2026, and concludes August 7, 2026.

Pay for this position is $23.10 - $33.50, depending on education and location.

Responsibilities:

• Iterative Design:Use PTC Creoto create parametric designs for airframes, space frames, and testing hardware. You will be expected to build "smart" models that can quickly adapt to evolving project requirements.
• Initial Sizing:Apply your knowledge of Beam Theoryand Strength of Materialsto perform "back-of-the-envelope" structural sizing before moving into high-fidelity modeling
• Mass Optimization:Actively manage mass properties, iterating designs to minimize weightwhile maintaining structural integrity to meet strict flight performance margins.
• Structural & Thermal Analysis:Develop Finite Element Models (FEM)to perform detailed analysis. This includes evaluating the design's response to thermal expansion and environmental loadingto ensure survival in extreme conditions.
• Documentation: Create professional GD&T drawingsfor parts and assemblies, ensuring clear communication for manufacturing and end-user assembly.
• Hands-on Assembly:Transition from the office to the lab to assist with light assembly and testing of the hardware designed.

Requirements:

• Undergraduate or Graduate student in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related Engineering
• An understanding of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and experience using PTC CREO, or similar tools to create models and drawings.
• Foundational understanding of Statics, Dynamics, Strength of Materials, and design for manufacturing.
• Excellent communication skills, able to articulate design choices to a team of engineers and project management personnel and create clear assembly instructions.
• Presentation skills, including creating and sharing PowerPoint presentations clearly exhibiting the design requirements, layout, and plan forward.
• Candidates currently enrolled in an accredited university are highly preferred and they must attend a Virginia school or be a permanent resident of Virginia.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
• Progress toward a degree (undergraduate or graduate) in technical areas of relevance
• Must be able to work on site at NASA Langley Research Facility in Hampton, Virginia
• Due to ITAR restrictions, US citizenship or permanent US residency is 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.