Aerospace Internships
Aerospace internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working engineers and systems analysts, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings cover Manufacturing, with Blue Origin, Parker Hannifin, and Molex among the employers posting roles now.
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Ready to connect what you’re learning in college with hands-on experience in the aerospace industry? Join Hytek Finishes, a diverse organization that processes highly engineered components for Boeing, its suppliers, space, and Defense aircraft. As a Tooling Design & Development Engineering Intern, you’ll collaborate on practical projects, build your problem-solving skills, and learn from experienced craftspeople and an involved management team committed to mentoring emerging talent. You’ll be part of a team that takes pride in hands-on work, delivering complex processing on time, and putting quality first. With employees who average 10 years at Hytek, and many who have been here for decades, you’ll have the opportunity to learn alongside people with deep industry experience while contributing to the team’s work.
Internship Overview
Title: Tooling Design & Development Engineering Internship
Reports to: Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Location: Kent, WA | onsite
Type: Part Time, Non-Exempt (hourly)
Schedule: Day shift hours. It is expected that interns will work a minimum of 10 hours per week during the school year and a maximum of 29 hours per week during the summer. Specific working hours will be flexible depending upon the selected intern’s availability. Prior arrangements can be made for reduced hours during school exams or for family commitments. We would prefer a minimum 3 month commitment from candidates.
Internship Project Opportunities
- Facility Layout – update using AutoCAD the entire layout and mapping of Hytek Finishes. This will also include tank and machine layouts.
- Tooling design & development – use CNC router and 3D printing technologies to identify, design, and test custom tooling, templates, and/or masking for various processes.
- Process Automation – identify, research, and support automation opportunities within our traditional processing methods.
Your team: You will be part of a collaborative team focusing on innovative tool design and development, continuous improvement initiatives, and productivity savings.
Your boarding pass/qualifications
- Striving for a Technical Degree within course of study.
- Familiarity with 3D printing software.
- Proficient user of CAD modeling software, Inventor/AutoCAD a plus.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
- Must have the ability to read, write and communicate in English - including the ability to read written purchase orders and paperwork.
- Must have a regular and dependable attendance record.
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S. An export license will be required to work in all areas of the facility for non-US persons. Hytek is unable to sponsor a student visa.
- Must be able to pass a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screening.
- Minimum age 18.
The Ideal Candidate
- Intellectually curious about the business and the world around them.
- Possess a bias for action, moves with a sense of urgency.
- Coachable, open to learn, grow and develop through feedback channels.
- Emotionally intelligent and able to build trust with leaders and employees of diverse backgrounds and situations at all levels.
- Collaborative, marked by transparency and flexibility, with a commitment to foster teamwork.
- An exceptional communicator in both written and verbal interactions; clear and concise.
Essential Mental/Physical Demands
Ability to sit in an office for long periods, but also comfortable with working in a manufacturing environment as well. Extensive use of hands in writing, computer and using mechanical equipment. Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. on an occasional basis. Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Due to the manufacturing environment, safety glasses and hearing protection may be necessary.
Part time benefits package includes: 401(k) matching, short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, long-term care plan options, prescription safety glasses benefit, and onsite health services that includes access to a massage therapist.
Compensation for the internship: $22.00 per hour
Application Process
Please apply at www.hytekfinishes.com/careers with an up-to-date resume and your current contact information.
Hytek Finishes is an equal opportunity employer. It is Hytek’s policy to make all employment decisions without regard to an individual’s sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breast feeding, and related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race (including traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists), creed, religion (including religious dress and grooming), color, national origin, ancestry (including association, affiliation, or participation with persons or activities related to national origin, English-proficiency or accent or immigration status), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital or domestic partner status, age, veteran or military status, and any other categories protected by applicable state, local, or federal law. M/F/Disability/Protected Vet
Ready to connect what you’re learning in college with hands-on experience in the aerospace industry? Join Hytek Finishes, a diverse organization that processes highly engineered components for Boeing, its suppliers, space, and Defense aircraft. As a Tooling Design & Development Engineering Intern, you’ll collaborate on practical projects, build your problem-solving skills, and learn from experienced craftspeople and an involved management team committed to mentoring emerging talent. You’ll be part of a team that takes pride in hands-on work, delivering complex processing on time, and putting quality first. With employees who average 10 years at Hytek, and many who have been here for decades, you’ll have the opportunity to learn alongside people with deep industry experience while contributing to the team’s work.
Internship Overview
Title: Tooling Design & Development Engineering Internship
Reports to: Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Location: Kent, WA | onsite
Type: Part Time, Non-Exempt (hourly)
Schedule: Day shift hours. It is expected that interns will work a minimum of 10 hours per week during the school year and a maximum of 29 hours per week during the summer. Specific working hours will be flexible depending upon the selected intern’s availability. Prior arrangements can be made for reduced hours during school exams or for family commitments. We would prefer a minimum 3 month commitment from candidates.
Internship Project Opportunities
- Facility Layout – update using AutoCAD the entire layout and mapping of Hytek Finishes. This will also include tank and machine layouts.
- Tooling design & development – use CNC router and 3D printing technologies to identify, design, and test custom tooling, templates, and/or masking for various processes.
- Process Automation – identify, research, and support automation opportunities within our traditional processing methods.
Your team: You will be part of a collaborative team focusing on innovative tool design and development, continuous improvement initiatives, and productivity savings.
Your boarding pass/qualifications
- Striving for a Technical Degree within course of study.
- Familiarity with 3D printing software.
- Proficient user of CAD modeling software, Inventor/AutoCAD a plus.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings.
- Must have the ability to read, write and communicate in English - including the ability to read written purchase orders and paperwork.
- Must have a regular and dependable attendance record.
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S. An export license will be required to work in all areas of the facility for non-US persons. Hytek is unable to sponsor a student visa.
- Must be able to pass a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screening.
- Minimum age 18.
The Ideal Candidate
- Intellectually curious about the business and the world around them.
- Possess a bias for action, moves with a sense of urgency.
- Coachable, open to learn, grow and develop through feedback channels.
- Emotionally intelligent and able to build trust with leaders and employees of diverse backgrounds and situations at all levels.
- Collaborative, marked by transparency and flexibility, with a commitment to foster teamwork.
- An exceptional communicator in both written and verbal interactions; clear and concise.
Essential Mental/Physical Demands
Ability to sit in an office for long periods, but also comfortable with working in a manufacturing environment as well. Extensive use of hands in writing, computer and using mechanical equipment. Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. on an occasional basis. Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Due to the manufacturing environment, safety glasses and hearing protection may be necessary.
Part time benefits package includes: 401(k) matching, short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, long-term care plan options, prescription safety glasses benefit, and onsite health services that includes access to a massage therapist.
Compensation for the internship: $22.00 per hour
Application Process
Please apply at www.hytekfinishes.com/careers with an up-to-date resume and your current contact information.
Hytek Finishes is an equal opportunity employer. It is Hytek’s policy to make all employment decisions without regard to an individual’s sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breast feeding, and related conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, race (including traits historically associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists), creed, religion (including religious dress and grooming), color, national origin, ancestry (including association, affiliation, or participation with persons or activities related to national origin, English-proficiency or accent or immigration status), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital or domestic partner status, age, veteran or military status, and any other categories protected by applicable state, local, or federal law. M/F/Disability/Protected Vet
Aerospace Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
Tips for Your Aerospace Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer roles
Large aerospace employers open summer internship applications as early as August and September and close them before winter break. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates. Check listings regularly from early fall so you don't miss the first wave at the employers that matter most to you.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Aerospace hiring teams expect limited work history at the intern level, so give them something concrete to assess. Document two or three projects with the tools you used, CAD models, simulation outputs, design reports, or published analyses. A linked portfolio entry does more work than a bullet point on a resume.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Alongside that, apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts, the two approaches reach different pools, and covering both gives you the widest shot.
Practice your technical screen out loud before applying
Aerospace intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering engineering fundamentals, systems thinking, or design problem-solving depending on the role. Practice answering out loud and narrating your reasoning, not just reaching the right answer. Interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as the solution you land on.
Target structured rotational programs early in the cycle
Major aerospace employers run rotational internship programs designed to train candidates new to the industry, placing interns across engineering disciplines or product areas in a single term. These programs recruit in the fall and fill fast. Identify the ones that align with your interests and submit in the first application wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 75% of the aerospace internships listed here. Decide what you can actually commit to, remote, hybrid, or on-site, before you start reviewing listings on Migrate Mate. Filtering by location and work type upfront means you spend your time on roles you can take, not sorting through ones you can't.
Aerospace Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an aerospace internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level and want something concrete to assess. For aerospace candidates, that means design files, CAD models, simulation outputs, or documented engineering projects. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an aerospace internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for aerospace interns is consistent performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and understanding the employer's return-offer timeline before your internship ends. Position for one by treating every assignment as real work, without counting on an offer before you have it.
When should I apply for aerospace internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large aerospace employers recruit for summer cohorts the preceding fall, often closing applications before winter break. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly and applying as soon as a role opens puts you ahead of candidates who wait for spring.
Are aerospace internships paid?
Most professional aerospace internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry segment, and location. Where an employer discloses pay, it appears directly in the listing, so you can compare opportunities without having to ask upfront.
What should an aerospace internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Feature two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools, software, and methods you used, for aerospace candidates, that means linked CAD files, simulation reports, design portfolios, or published analyses that give a recruiter something to evaluate. Add relevant coursework, keep technical skills current, and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote aerospace internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 25% of the aerospace internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they attract applicants from across the country, so apply early and use the work-type filter to see them before they close.
What is a rotational engineering internship in aerospace?
A rotational internship places you across two or more teams or product areas during a single internship term, giving you exposure to systems engineering, propulsion, avionics, or other disciplines depending on the employer. These structured programs are built for candidates new to the industry, recruit early in the fall cycle, and are competitive, identify the ones that fit your interests and apply in the first wave.
Can international students get aerospace internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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