Hardware Engineering Internship - Summer 2025

As a Hardware Engineering Intern at Hermeus, your responsibilities will be diverse and engaging. You'll work alongside seasoned engineers to participate in the design, build, and test phases of hardware for our hypersonic aircraft, such as Quarterhorse and Darkhorse. Expect to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to troubleshoot challenges and contribute to various tasks ranging from propulsion components to avionics integration. This hands-on experience will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the aerospace industry and a chance to apply your engineering skills to innovative projects.

To qualify for the Hardware Engineering Internship at Hermeus, candidates should be enrolled in a STEM program at an accredited college or university, typically in their third or fourth year of studies or in a Master's or Ph.D. program. Practical experience designing, building, and testing vehicles through projects or past internships is also required. Additionally, a strong interest in aviation, a solid understanding of engineering first principles, and excellent communication skills are essential for succeeding in this role.

During your Hardware Engineering Internship at Hermeus, you will engage in a variety of exciting projects that focus on developing hypersonic vehicles. You'll have the opportunity to work on propulsion components, design and fabricate harnesses, conduct thermal and structural analyses, and even write flight software. This breadth of experience will allow you to explore different facets of aerospace engineering, contributing directly to the innovative designs that are at the heart of Hermeus's mission.

Hermeus is committed to fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for its Hardware Engineering Interns. You will be guided by experienced engineers who will mentor you through various aspects of aerospace engineering, ensuring you gain the knowledge and skills necessary for your career. By working in cross-functional teams and participating in hands-on projects, you’ll receive invaluable experience and insights that will equip you for future challenges in the aerospace and defense industries.

The Hardware Engineering Internship at Hermeus offers a competitive hourly wage between $25 and $33, depending on various factors such as responsibilities and your experience level. This full-time paid internship lasts for approximately 12-16 weeks, running from May through August, providing ample opportunity for growth and contribution to our groundbreaking projects in hypersonic technology.

When answering this question, express your passion for aerospace technology and how Hermeus's mission aligns with your career goals. Highlight your excitement about contributing to hypersonic aircraft development and your desire to work in a dynamic, innovative environment where you can bring your engineering skills to life.

In response, share a specific project from your academic or internship experience. Detail the goals, your design process, challenges faced, and how you collaborated with others to achieve a successful outcome. Emphasize the skills and knowledge you gained that would be applicable to the internship at Hermeus.

When discussing your approach to troubleshooting, emphasize your systematic problem-solving skills. Explain how you would assess the problem, gather data, collaborate with your team, and iterate on solutions. Be specific about tools and methods you’ve used in past experiences, illustrating your critical thinking skills.

Explain your experience in collaborating with diverse teams in your academic or project work. Discuss the importance of effective communication and mutual understanding, and share examples of how you successfully navigated team dynamics to achieve shared goals.

List the engineering software tools you have experience with that are relevant to the internship role, such as CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Provide a brief overview of how you've used these tools in previous projects and how they will assist you in succeeding at Hermeus.

When discussing task prioritization, outline your strategies for managing time effectively, such as using organizational tools or techniques like the Eisenhower matrix. Provide a specific instance where you had to juggle multiple responsibilities, highlighting the outcome of your approach.

Articulate your understanding of hypersonic technology’s potential impact on air travel including speed, safety, and innovation. Reference Hermeus's objectives and your enthusiasm for contributing to advancements in the field, conveying your commitment to pushing aviation boundaries.

Identify the key skills relevant to the internship, such as problem-solving abilities, teamwork, engineering fundamentals, and a passion for aviation. Provide examples that showcase how these skills have manifested in your past experiences and how they align with Hermeus's mission.

Discuss your methods for remaining informed about the aerospace industry, such as following relevant publications, joining professional organizations, or participating in academic forums. Showcase your proactive approach to learning and commitment to staying at the forefront of the field.

Share your personal and professional goals for this internship, emphasizing skills you wish to acquire, projects you’re eager to contribute to, and how you envision this experience shaping your future career in aerospace engineering. Reflect your enthusiasm to grow within the Hermeus team.