Engineering Intern - Space and Missile Defense

Los Angeles, CA
Internship
Visa Sponsorship

About the role

Wardstone is a space defense-tech startup building next-generation systems to protect the United States and its allies from advanced missile threats. We design, build, and test both ground and space-based hardware.

We’re looking for engineering interns from top schools who want to work on real world systems from concept to testing.

What You’ll Work On

Depending on your background and interests, you may work on:

  • Physics-based simulation and modeling (orbital mechanics, intercept dynamics, guidance & control)
  • Hardware prototyping and testing (mechanical, electrical, propulsion, sensing)
  • Embedded software, controls, or autonomy
  • Sensor systems (IR / EO), perception, and tracking
  • Data analysis from test campaigns
  • System-level trade studies and design reviews

Interns are treated as engineers. Your work will directly with founders and full-time engineers, influence flight hardware, simulations, and participate in field tests.

Who We’re Looking For

  • Currently pursuing a degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical field
    (Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Robotics, Computer Science, Physics)
  • Demonstrated delivery on previous extracurricular engineering projects
  • Curious, self-directed, and motivated by real-world impact
  • MATLAB or Python for modelling and data analytics
  • US CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED

Bonus points for experience with:

  • Controls, GNC, or orbital mechanics
  • Embedded systems or hardware bring-up
  • IR sensors, computer vision, or signal processing
  • Hands-on lab, shop, or field testing experience

Why Wardstone

  • Work on problems that matter at the national security level
  • Direct mentorship from founders and full time engineers
  • Exposure to the full engineering lifecycle from concept to testing
  • Fast pace, high ownership, minimal bureaucracy
  • Competitive compensation for interns

About Wardstone

The Modular Interceptor Platform

Required skills

MATLAB
Python
Sensor integration

Other roles at Wardstone

Interested?

Let me introduce you to the founders.

Skip the process

Job details

Salary

$6,000 - $10,000

Location

Los Angeles, CA

Company

NameWardstone
IndustryAviation and Space
Team Size8

Funding

Total raised

$5M

Last stage

Seed

Investors

Y Combinator

Founders

Tobias Fischer

Tobias Fischer

Co-Founder & CTO

LinkedIn
Sebastian Fischer

Sebastian Fischer

Co-Founder & CEO

LinkedIn

What happens next.

No applications, no recruiter spam. Just the intro.

01

Confirm the fit

A few questions to make sure this role is the right shape for you. Two minutes.

02

I pitch you to the company

I write the intro, send it to the founder, and handle the back-and-forth.

03

A meeting lands on your calendar

If they’re a yes, I book the chat. You show up — that’s the whole job-hunt.