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Launch & Ops

Mission Operations Engineering Intern

Reflect Orbital logoReflect Orbital$27–$31/hrHawthorne, CAInternshipPosted 1mo ago

About the role

At Reflect, you will be expected to move fast, have a lot of ownership and, most importantly, be able to effect change. If this excites you, we are interested in hearing about your best work and accomplishments across any domain and from any points in your life.

About the Role

Reflect Orbital believes that talent is talent regardless of experience. If you seek an opportunity to solve hard problems and advance humanity, Reflect Orbital can offer that experience.

During your internship at Reflect Orbital you will be given as much responsibility as our full-time team-members. You work will contribute to directly to the success of our flying constellation.

Ideal candidates for internships will be comfortable facing challenges with no known solution, willing to be hands-on individual contributors, and able to commit to a minimum of 12 weeks in-person at our Hawthorne, CA office. We encourage all motivated and excellent candidates to apply regardless of the specific set of requirements you meet.

Responsibilities

  • Own the design, development, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of novel spacecraft components
  • Build complete tools and testing setups, with an emphasis on fully completing and shipping your work
  • Prototype and iterate rapidly

Minimum Qualifications

  • You are able to work full-time onsite
  • You are enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master’s degree program from an accredited college or university in aerospace engineering, software engineering, electrical engineering or related engineering field
  • You're capable of incredibly scrappy solutions, but also have experience building & shipping complex and high quality solutions when the problem requires it
  • You're both capable of working highly independently, but you know when to seek guidance

Preferred Qualifications

  • Understanding of spacecraft systems and subsystem interactions
  • Understanding of orbital mechanics fundamentals
  • Programming and scripting skills (Python preferred)
  • Experience using data analysis to troubleshoot or characterize complex systems
  • Familiarity with mission control software, RF systems, or ground station operations is a plus (e.g. university CubeSat operations or amateur radio)
  • Sound judgment and composure in real-time, high-pressure environments
  • Clear written and verbal communication skills
  • Application of technical skills outside of the classroom (e.g. extracurricular projects, volunteering, personal projects, laboratory research, or prior internship/work experience)

Even if you don’t meet 100% of the above qualifications, we are likely still interested in hearing from you. Hiring exceptional individuals is our #1 priority, and we believe that exceptional people often have highly unusual backgrounds.

We are also interested in carving out unique roles for unconventional people that we are excited about working with.

Benefits

Reflect Orbital’s success will hinge on our team, which is why our compensation and benefits plan is designed to reward our employees and support their families as generously as we’re able.

  • Generous paid time off
  • Healthy lunches provided daily

Equal Opportunity

Reflect Orbital is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Reflect Orbital is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

More about Reflect Orbital

Learn more about our team here.

Copied from the listing Reflect Orbital published, verified 30 Oct 2026.

The application

Your details, CV and portfolio, then 6 questions.

Have readyCVPortfolioLinkedIn (optional)
  1. 1.
    What internship program are you applying for?Pick any: Spring 2027 · Summer 2027 · Fall 2027
  2. 2.
    Website/Other LinkShort answer · optional
  3. 3.
    Are you currently eligible to work in the United States of America?Yes or no
  4. 4.
    Do you now or in the future require visa sponsorship to continue working in the United States?Yes or no
  5. 5.
    Do any of the following designations apply to you: U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (aka green card holder), Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158?Yes or no
  6. 6.
    Why don't astronauts fall back to Earth when they're in orbit?Pick one

Taken from the application form Reflect Orbital runs, verified 30 Oct 2026.

How to apply to Reflect Orbital: the questions its forms ask across its open roles.

About Reflect Orbital

Satellites with mirrors that redirect sunlight to places on Earth.

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