2027 Summer Materials & Processes Intern

Employer description

The future of aerospace and defense starts here. 

Ursa Major was founded to revolutionize how America and its allies access and apply high-performance propulsion, from hypersonics to solid rocket motors, satellite maneuvering and launch. We design and deliver propulsion and defense systems that solve the most urgent and critical national security demands. 

Ursa Major is seeking a Materials & Processes (M&P) Intern to support the development, characterization, and testing of materials used in our rocket engines and propulsion systems. This internship is designed as a strong lead‑in to our Level I M&P Engineer role. You will work closely with experienced M&P engineers on hands‑on lab projects, material testing campaigns, and failure investigations that directly impact flight hardware. 

Responsibilities: 

• Perform material characterization under guidance of M&P engineers, including metallography, hardness testing, and basic microstructural analysis.  

• Assist with SEM and optical microscopy work: sample preparation, imaging, and basic interpretation of micrographs.  

• Support mechanical testing, such as tensile tests and simple coupon-level evaluations; help with test setup, data collection, and initial data reduction.  

• Contribute to material development and process trials, including preparation of test coupons, documenting procedures, and helping track results.  

• Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe materials laboratory, including sample labeling, equipment upkeep, and adherence to safety protocols.  

• Document work in lab notebooks and simple technical reports; create clear plots, tables, and summaries that can be used by the broader engineering team.  

• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and test engineers by sharing material data and observations that inform engineering decisions. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Actively pursuing a B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.  

• Ideally entering junior or senior year at the time of the internship; strong sophomores with relevant experience will also be considered.  

• Completed foundational coursework in materials science (e.g., structure–property relationships, mechanical behavior, phase diagrams, or similar).  

• Demonstrated hands-on experience in a lab setting (course labs, research projects, or maker spaces) with an interest in working with real hardware and test equipment.  

• Basic familiarity with material testing or characterization techniques (e.g., tensile testing, microscopy, hardness tests), even if only from class projects.  

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in recording data and following procedures.  

• Clear written and verbal communication skills; ability to work effectively as part of a small, fast-paced team. 

Preferred Experience: 

• Prior internship, co‑op, or research experience related to materials, manufacturing, or aerospace hardware.  

• Extracurricular involvement that shows initiative in technical environments—such as rocket teams, Formula SAE/Baja, CubeSat projects, materials research groups, machine shop clubs, or maker spaces.  

• Experience with metallography (mounting, grinding, polishing, etching) and basic microstructure interpretation.  

• Exposure to SEM operation (even at a basic user level) and image analysis.  

• Experience running or supporting tensile or fatigue tests and handling test data.  

• Familiarity with basic data and analysis tools (Excel, Python, or similar) for plotting stress–strain curves and summarizing test results. 

This internship is intended for students who want to grow into full‑time Materials & Processes Engineers. You’ll gain direct exposure to propulsion hardware, modern test methods, and the day‑to‑day problem solving required to make rocket engines fly. 

Colorado law requires us to tell you the base compensation range of this role, which is $30.00/hour, determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. What we can’t quantify for you are the exciting challenges, supportive team, and amazing culture we enjoy. 

Classification: Full-time Non-Exempt

Benefits Include: (Please note, Interns are not eligible for benefits)

• Unlimited PTO - Vacation, Sick, Personal, and Bereavement
• Paid Parental and Adoptive Leave
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Tax Advantage Accounts (HSA/FSA)
• Employer Paid Short and Long Term Disability, Basic Life, AD&D
• Additional Benefit Options Including Voluntary Life and Emergency Medical Transport
• EAP Program
• Retirement Savings Plan - 401k with Company Match

How To Apply: 
Interested candidates are encouraged to apply by filling out the application below and clicking "Submit Application". This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will remain open until filled or adjusted based on the volume of applicants.