About the role#
Dispatch is hiring mechanical engineering interns to work on Spark-1, our 150 kg spacecraft designed for in-space manufacturing and Earth reentry. You will work on-site in San Francisco, collaborating with our thermal, avionics, and vehicle systems teams. You will own technical tasks that directly influence our upcoming missions.
What you'll do#
- Design primary and secondary structures and mechanisms for the Spark-1 vehicle.
- Perform structural analysis using hand calculations and FEA to account for launch, on-orbit, reentry, and recovery environments.
- Create drawing packages using GD&T and manage the process with machine shops and vendors through fabrication, inspection, and assembly.
- Design, build, and test deployable mechanisms, payload hardware, and test fixtures.
- Support environmental testing, including vibration, shock, and thermal vacuum, while tracking mass properties for launch vehicle integration.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a BS, MS, or PhD program in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or a related technical field.
- Experience in structural design, mechanisms, machine design, or hardware fabrication through coursework, research, or internships.
- Proficiency with CAD tools like SolidWorks, NX, Onshape, or Fusion, and FEA software such as Nastran, ANSYS, or Abaqus.
- Ability to manage a design from initial concept through analysis, drawings, and testing.
- At least one year of experience on technical project teams like CubeSat, Rocket Team, Formula SAE, or similar.
- Practical experience with flight or flight-like hardware for spacecraft, aircraft, or high-performance vehicles.
- Familiarity with deployable mechanisms, composite structures, or high-load environments.
- Hands-on experience with machining, composite layup, assembly, or environmental testing.
- Strong communication and technical documentation skills.
Location & details#
- Location: San Francisco, California.
- Terms: Winter 2027 and Summer 2027.
- Modality: On-site.
- Compensation: $30 per hour.
- Requirements: This role is open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents only. We do not provide visa sponsorship.
About Dispatch | YC P26
Dispatch builds satellites designed to manufacture products in space and return them to Earth. The company operates within the space research and technology sector. Founded in 2026, it maintains its headquarters in San Francisco, California. The organization currently employs three people.
How to get in at Dispatch | YC P26
Applying to Dispatch early is a distinct advantage because the team is small and reviews applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, so you can apply before the pile grows and your resume gets lost in the shuffle. Reaching out to the right person often beats submitting an application into a general queue. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the position or a referral, which materially improves your response rates.
