2026-2028 Internship - STEM - Prototype Development for Spacecraft Integration
Johns Hopkins APL · Laurel, MD · Other Engineering
About this role
Johns Hopkins APL is hiring a intern-level Hardware Engineer in the software engineering function based in Laurel, MD. The posting calls out experience with Computer Vision.
- Role
- Hardware Engineer
- Function
- software engineering
- Level
- intern
- Track
- Individual contributor
- Employment
- Internship
- Location
- Laurel, MD
- Department
- Other Engineering
- Posted
- Apr 20, 2026
More roles at Johns Hopkins APL
Job description
from Johns Hopkins APL careersAre you interested in contributing to efforts that help us learn about the planets and moons in our solar system, even if you’ve never worked on space systems before?
The Dragonfly mission team is seeking a Student Guest Investigator to help design and develop a prototype machine that fabricates non-flight harnesses and test cables used during spacecraft integration and testing.
We’re seeking Master’s and PhD students majoring in the physical sciences, computer science, mathematics, or engineering who are strong problem-solvers and eager to apply their skills to real-world challenges.
This is a two-year hybrid commitment and you must remain actively enrolled for the full two-year duration of the project. Some work may be performed remotely during the academic year; however, summer work is conducted in person.
This is your opportunity to contribute to a mission to Saturn’s largest moon, Titan, while building, testing, and developing systems that directly support spacecraft integration.
Project Overview
Dragonfly’s custom mission architecture requires custom-built ground support equipment (GSE), test hardware and software. This project focuses on developing a prototype harness-building machine capable of constructing simple, custom, non-flight cables used in testbeds and engineering units.
You will work alongside integration and testing engineers, harness technicians, and testbed engineers to research, design, build, and test a functional prototype.