Material & Processes Engineering Intern

About the role#

Canopy Aerospace & Defense is seeking an engineering or materials science student to join the team as a Material & Processes Engineering Intern for the Fall 2026 term. In this role, you will contribute to the development of next-generation thermal protection materials for spacecraft and hypersonic vehicles, working alongside engineers to prototype materials from first principles.

What you'll do#

• Assist with the design and formulation of new thermal protection materials, including polymer-derived ceramics and composite substrates.
• Prepare and process experimental material formulations using custom resin systems and fillers.
• Fabricate composite and polymer samples using techniques such as casting, layup, curing, and infiltration.
• Characterize material properties including thermal conductivity, density, mechanical properties, and thermal stability.
• Document material formulations, processing methods, and test results.
• Analyze experimental results to inform material design and support scale-up efforts.
• Collaborate with aerothermal, structural, and manufacturing teams.

What you'll need#

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Chemistry, or Physics.
• Strong foundation in materials science, chemistry, or polymer science.
• Experience with laboratory experimentation or materials characterization through coursework, research, or project work.
• Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, or similar scientific computing languages.
• Strong professional communication and technical writing skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative R&D environment.

Location & details#

• Location: Littleton, Colorado (On-site).
• Term: Fall 2026.
• Status: Paid internship.