Performance Intern (Summer)

At REGENT, we’re on a mission to revolutionize regional transportation between coastal cities. We're not just building vehicles, we're creating a new category of transportation: the Seaglider. These groundbreaking wing-in-ground-effect craft travel just above the water’s surface, combining the speed of an airplane with the low operating costs of a boat. Capable of 180 miles at 180 mph on today's battery tech (and up to 400 miles with next-gen batteries), Seagliders will unlock fast, affordable, and sustainable coastal transit for passengers and cargo - connecting cities, islands, and communities like never before.

Backed by leading investors and powered by a team of passionate, forward-thinking engineers, builders, and operators, we’re now scaling from a breakthrough prototype to full production - and building the team to make it happen.

Role Overview

REGENT is reinventing coastal transportation with the Seaglider, a vehicle that flies over water on a cushion of air, and getting that vehicle's performance right — both on the drawing board and out on the water — depends on models that are only as good as the data and tools behind them. As a Performance Intern within Hardware Engineering, you'll work on exactly that: the modeling backbone used to predict and validate Seaglider performance for both vehicle development and day-to-day operations. You'll build on a framework created by interns before you, strengthening the connection between real on-water test data and the models that predict how Seagliders perform, and pushing that work toward generating performance data in standardized, repeatable formats.

This role sits within the Performance team, a group focused on making sure the numbers behind the Seaglider hold up against reality. Expect to spend your time deep in code, data, and models rather than on the hardware floor - and it's a chance to see firsthand how performance modeling for a vehicle that doesn't fit neatly into "aircraft" or "boat" actually comes together. You'll have real ownership over tools and pipelines that the team will rely on going forward, and your documentation and models will shape how future performance work gets done. If you're someone who loves the rigor of aerodynamics and performance modeling, is energized by writing code that turns test data into insight, and wants that work to matter for a vehicle unlike anything else on the water, we'd love to meet you!

What You'll Do

• Update Vehicle Performance Models: You'll take ownership of specific performance models and improve them based on real test data, sharpening their accuracy for both operations and vehicle development.

• Strengthen the Performance Toolset: You'll improve the tools and workflows the team uses to run and maintain performance models, making the whole program more capable and easier to build on.

• Push Toward Standardized Deliverables: You'll contribute directly to the team's path toward generating performance data in standard, repeatable formats, laying groundwork that the team will build on in the years ahead.

• Present Your Work: You'll share your progress and findings with the performance team, translating technical modeling work into a clear story for your teammates.

• Document for the Next Person: You'll keep thorough documentation of your models, tools, and decisions so that your work hands off cleanly and keeps paying off after your internship ends.

What You'll Bring

• Aerodynamics Fundamentals: You have a solid grounding in aircraft performance modeling and aerodynamics, built through experience beyond the classroom (private pilot’s license, model building experience, competitions like design-build-fly or comparable are an advantage).

• Demonstrated Coding Skill: You're proficient in Python or MATLAB and can point to real projects or code you've written beyond mandatory coursework.

• Comfort With Optimization: You have some exposure to optimization methods, which show up throughout the performance tools you'll be working with.

• An Eye for Test Data: You've worked with flight test data before, or something close to it, and know how to pull real insight out of it.

• Familiarity With Dev Tools: You've used Git and ideally have some exposure to CI/CD workflows, which helps you move smoothly in a team-based engineering environment.

• A Collaborative Mindset: You communicate clearly and work well with others, and you're comfortable asking questions and sharing your thinking as you go.

Who We're Looking For

• Collaborative Team Player: You believe that great things happen when teams work together. You communicate effectively and collaborate with engineers, stakeholders, and other cross-functional teams to align on goals and move projects forward. You bring people together, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and moving towards a shared vision.

• Creative Problem Solver : You thrive on tackling complex challenges and finding innovative solutions. Whether you're resolving installation challenges, debugging elusive electrical issues, or adapting on the fly during integration and test, you bring a practical, inventive mindset to every problem. You don't just patch issues - you improve processes, anticipate downstream impacts, and help turn one-off fixes into scalable solutions that raise the bar for future builds.

• Adaptable & Agile: In a fast-paced, ever-evolving startup environment, you quickly adapt to changing priorities and requirements. You approach challenges with a calm, resilient mindset, and know how to pivot and adjust your approach as needed, ensuring that progress continues without missing a beat.

• Innovative Mindset : You’re driven by curiosity and a passion for technology. You’re passionate about driving continuous improvement, embracing new technologies and methodologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and team performance.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation

• Housing Stipend available for those temporarily moving to join our team

• Daily, free catered lunches

• Learning & professional development opportunities

• Meaningful projects that make an impact

• Mentorship & guidance from experienced team members

If you’re ready to take on an exciting challenge, grow with us, and make a lasting impact, we want to hear from you. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, but you see yourself contributing to our mission, we encourage you to apply! We value diverse skillsets and experiences and believe in the potential of passionate individuals to make a big impact.

Equal Opportunity Employer

REGENT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.