Manufacturing Engineering Intern

About Capella Space

Capella, an IonQ company, builds trusted space systems that deliver secure, rapid, and actionable Earth intelligence to amplify decision-making for allied partners. As the first U.S. company to launch and operate a commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) constellation, Capella provides precise, high-resolution radar imagery in any condition—day or night, through clouds, smoke, and darkness. Capella is defining the future of space-based intelligence through a vertically integrated approach that spans spacecraft design, advanced radar payloads, manufacturing, automated tasking, and low-latency delivery of mission-ready data. Capella designs for the realities of modern defense and intelligence: speed, sovereignty, and resilience. Powered by IonQ, Capella is creating the world's first quantum-enabled Earth observation network—transforming how intelligence is delivered through innovation, speed, and trust. This next-generation architecture will provide governments and global partners with a decisive edge: the ability to see, decide, and act with confidence in any environment.

What Makes Capella Unique?

Capella, an IonQ company, spans national security, advanced sensing, and next-generation compute to deliver secure, mission-ready intelligence. Capella's culture is built on collaboration, rigorous engineering, and a shared commitment to delivering solutions that strengthens global stability and security. Team members work side-by-side with some of the most innovative minds in space systems, quantum-enabled technologies, and mission-critical operations. Capella values curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to tackle hard problems with precision and creativity. Capella welcomes and encourages applicants whose perspectives are historically underrepresented in technology, national security, and aerospace. No prior space experience is required. Diverse viewpoints strengthen Capella's ability to innovate and to deliver meaningful impact for partners worldwide.

Capella Space Internship Program   

Capella's 10-week, in-person internship program (June 8–August 14, 2026) gives students hands-on experience in spacecraft development, operations, and geospatial technology. Interns work directly on meaningful projects while building technical skills, industry insight, and professional connections. The program includes mentorship, team engagement, and social events that support a balanced and collaborative experience. A stipend is provided to help with living expenses.

About the Role 

Capella is looking for a Manufacturing Engineering Intern to support the development and improvement of our satellite production processes. In this role, you'll work closely with experienced manufacturing, design, and production engineers to help streamline workflows, support new product introduction activities, and contribute to continuous improvement projects. 

This internship offers hands-on exposure to satellite manufacturing operations, production line development, documentation, tooling, and process improvement in a fast-paced and highly collaborative environment. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Assist manufacturing engineers in developing and documenting production processes used to build satellite components and assemblies. 
• Support efforts to improve manufacturability by reviewing build instructions, tooling needs, and production workflows. 
• Help maintain and update manufacturing documentation including work instructions, process maps, and standard operating procedures. 
• Participate in new product introduction (NPI) activities by helping validate build processes, collecting feedback from technicians, and assisting with early-stage process trials. 
• Assist with data collection and organization to support production tracking and continuous improvement initiatives. 
• Help with layout reviews, workflow observations, and equipment/tooling organization to improve efficiency on the production floor. 
• Participate in projects involving lean manufacturing, waste reduction, cycle-time improvement, and quality optimization. 
• Work with cross-functional teams—including Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Design Engineering—to support day-to-day manufacturing activities. 
• Assist in identifying production bottlenecks and proposing small-scale improvements under the guidance of senior engineers. 

Qualifications 

• Actively pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field. 
• Interest in manufacturing processes, production systems, and hardware development. 
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills. 
• Ability to collaborate within cross-functional teams. 
• Good communication and organizational skills. 
• Enthusiasm for learning in a fast-paced environment. 
• Currently attending a degree program and available to work full time for 10 weeks outside of university term time. 
• In their penultimate academic year or returning to a degree program after completion of the internship.
• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Exposure to lean manufacturing concepts through coursework or projects. 
• Familiarity with CAD tools (SolidWorks or similar). 
• Experience with process documentation or technical writing. 
• Interest in automation, tooling, or advanced manufacturing technologies. 
• Basic understanding of data analysis or manufacturing metrics. 

Compensation 

• This internship will be a 40-hour a week commitment at the pay of $37 per hour. An allowance will also be provided to support living costs throughout the program. 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

Capella, an IonQ company is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you need assistance or require an accommodation during the job application process, please notify  

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