LaSPACE Industry Internship Program
The Louisiana Space Grant (LaSPACE) Workforce Development: Industry Internship Program was developed to increase workforce development opportunities in the forms of industry internships for college students in Louisiana. We have secured 11 placement opportunities at 4 industry partners doing work directly, or in alignment, with NASA. Summer undergraduate internships provide students with valuable experiences, such as 1) engage the student in real-world work, 2) enable a student to transfer their educational experience into a professional workplace, 3) provide a deeper understanding of current work being performed by aerospace and aviation companies, and 4) develop a professional network.
Students enrolled in any institution of higher education in Louisiana, including community and technical colleges, will be eligible to apply for these internship opportunities. We plan to fund full-time undergraduate interns at the NASA established rate of $8200 for a 10-week, 400 hour internship. Students will be engaged as summer employees at the industry partner site, but all of the financial support will come from LaSPACE through 4 stipend disbursements issued from award through final report submission.
Summer 2026 Industry Internship Opportunities
The Quality Engineering Intern will support the Quality & Safety Manager in driving improvements to the organization’s quality systems, training programs, and procedural documentation. This role offers hands-on experience within an Aircraft Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) environment, providing exposure to quality assurance, safety management, training development, and continuous improvement practices.
Support software and/or hardware development for Cislune’s rover systems under the GRASP project, with emphasis on field robotics for lunar surface operations.
Possible tasks may include:
- Sensor integration and testing.
- Rover software support (ROS2), autonomy support, or controls support.
- Test planning and test execution.
- Data logging, analysis, and documentation.
- Hardware support for rover subsystems and experiments.
Support analysis and planning for lunar site preparation operations, including terrain understanding and operational planning.
Possible tasks may include:
- Survey / terrain data review.
- Site preparation planning support.
- Cut / fill estimation.
- Path planning and mission concept analysis.
- Data reduction, visualization, and documentation.
Support concept development and analysis for cyclonic regolith beneficiation focused on lunar feedstocks such as icy regolith, KREEP-rich materials, and ilmenite-bearing regolith.
Possible tasks may include:
- Literature review and technical concept support.
- Process flow and experimental planning.
- Data analysis for particulate/beneficiation concepts.
- Test support and documentation.
- Technical writing and reporting.
Perform data analysis using visualization tools, such as Excel, MATLAB, or Tableau in support of Lrad and other programs. Task to include Familiarity with industry standards and regulations. Programming skills in languages like Python, MATLAB, or C++ performing and providing engineering documentation and reports, also presenting an overall learning presentation after completion of Internship.
Perform industrial engineering analysis in support of the Orion, Conventional Prompt Strike, and Next Generation Interceptor Programs. Tasks include creating manufacturing flows for new and existing programs. Tasks include performing industrial engineering calculations using established methods to determine time standards for production tasks for new and existing programs. Perform cost and benefit analysis of changes in process and present data to leadership.
Perform stress analysis in support of the Orion Program. Task to include performing detailed mathematical calculations using established formulas, support finite element modeling tasks, and provide engineering documentation and reports.
The candidate will support the build sequence of Fusion and Friction Stir Welded Pressurant and Propellant tanks used in spaceflight hardware by assisting with a variety of tasks under the supervision of the Manufacturing Engineering team. This includes working closely with engineering methods, processes, and step-by-step instructions to turn engineering drawings and technical requirements into detailed mechanical assemblies, weldments, tank liners and completed carbon-overwrapped pressure vessels. This internship will encourage working with Production Operations, Tooling Engineering, Design Engineering, Test Engineering, and Quality Assurance. The position will include completion of an assigned project, with regular project updates and a final presentation to the Manufacturing Engineering and Vivace Leadership team.
Summer 2026 LaSPACE Industry Internship Opportunities
Application Submissions
- All applicants must complete the Industry Internship Participant and the Industry Internship Application. Applicants may apply for all open industry internship positions. However, you must generate a custom statement of interest for each opportunity.
- Participant Form: LaSPACE Industry Internship Application Form Part 1
- Application Form: LaSPACE Industry Internship Application Form Part 2
- Important Dates:
Application Period: Tuesday, March 31, 2026 – Friday, April 17, 2026
Application Review Period: Monday, April 20, 2026 – May 1, 2026
Student Notifications: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Internship Period of Performance: Monday, June 1, 2026 – Friday, August 7, 2026
Application Guidelines Download Link (PDF Document): LaSPACE_Industry-Internships_ApplicationGuidelines_Summer2026
LaSPACE Industry Internship Opportunities Packet (PDF Document): Summer 2026 LaSPACE Industry Internship Opportunities
