About the role#
As a Mechanical Engineering Intern or Co-op, you will join the team developing hardware for the Space-Based Interceptor program. You will take a defined piece of hardware from an early concept into the real world. This role involves moving between your desk, the shop floor, suppliers, and test sites. You will be trusted with real work and are expected to take ownership, find the information you need, and keep moving when the path is unclear.
What you'll do#
- Own clearly scoped mechanical hardware through design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, troubleshooting, and iteration.
- Design and update mechanical components, assemblies, interfaces, prototypes, ground support equipment, and test fixtures.
- Work directly with engineers, technicians, machinists, suppliers, and test personnel to turn early concepts into hardware.
- Support hands-on fabrication, assembly, inspection, integration, and test activities, including hardware setup, instrumentation, and data collection.
- Investigate manufacturing problems, integration issues, and test failures to apply lessons to the next hardware iteration.
- Document hardware configurations, design decisions, build issues, and test results.
- Support field tests outside the Torrance office when required.
What you'll need#
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a related field.
- At least one year of sustained participation in a technically rigorous student engineering project.
- Experience taking hardware through several stages of development.
- Proficiency using a professional 3D CAD system and reading mechanical drawings.
- Willingness to work hard, learn quickly, take direct feedback, and do the hands-on work required to move hardware forward.
- Judgment to raise problems early, ask clear questions, and work through ambiguity.
- U.S. citizenship due to export-controlled and government-controlled information.
Location & details#
- This position is fully on-site at the GITAI office in Torrance, California.
- The internship is available for the Winter 2027 and Spring 2027 terms.
- This is a paid, non-exempt role.
- This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
About GITAI
GITAI is a space robotics company based in Torrance, California. Founded in 2016, the firm develops robotic systems for lunar and Martian operations. Its technology supports tasks like habitat construction and resource mining. The company currently employs 66 people.
How to get in at GITAI
Applying to GITAI early is a significant advantage because recruiters review applications in the order they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, which helps you submit your materials before the applicant pool grows too large. Being among the first to apply ensures your profile is seen while the team is still actively evaluating candidates. You can also improve your response rates by reaching out to the recruiters behind these roles directly. Intern Insider surfaces the specific people managing hiring at GITAI, allowing you to ask relevant questions or request a referral. This direct approach often yields better results than submitting a resume into a general queue.
