Manufacturing Intern - Quality Engineering

Internship - Quality Engineering - Fall 2026
As an end-to-end responsive space transportation company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space - anywhere, anytime. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the surface of the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in North Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

SUMMARY

Firefly has year-round engineering-focused internship opportunities for our Texas locations. Both current undergraduates and new graduates are encouraged to apply.

As a Quality Engineering Intern, you will support the Quality team in ensuring flight hardware and production processes meet the highest standards of reliability, compliance, and performance. You will assist with issue investigations, non-conformance analysis, inspection activities, and process improvement initiatives across launch vehicle and spacecraft production.

This role provides hands-on exposure to aerospace manufacturing, inspection methodologies, root cause investigations, and quality management systems. Interns will work cross-functionally with Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Test teams. They will complete a defined capstone project focused on improving product quality, inspection efficiency, or production metrics.

This position is located at our Production and Test facility north of Cedar Park in Briggs, TX.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Support Quality Engineers and Quality Specialists in investigating non-conformances and production quality issues

Assist with root cause analysis and corrective action implementation

Collect, track, and analyze production-quality data (first-pass yield, defect trends, rework drivers, etc.)

Support development and updates to inspection plans, control plans, and quality documentation

Participate in First Article Inspection activities and traceability documentation efforts

Assist with inspection of mechanical, electrical, and electro-mechanical components as needed

Collaborate with manufacturing and engineering teams to improve product quality and manufacturability

Support internal audits and compliance activities aligned with Firefly’s Quality Management System

Contribute to Lean and 5S initiatives to improve workflow and inspection efficiencyComplete an individual or team-based capstone project focused on measurable quality or process improvement

Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

Enrollment in or recent graduation from a BS or MS program in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical discipline

Strong interest in manufacturing quality, inspection, or aerospace production environments

Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, and GD&T

Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills

Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced, hands‑on environment

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Effective verbal and written communication skills

Willingness to work cross‑functionally and learn from experienced engineers and inspectors

Prior internship, research, or student project team experience in manufacturing, quality, or design engineering

Familiarity with quality tools such as 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams, SPC, PFMEA, or corrective action processes

Exposure to aerospace, automotive, or other regulated manufacturing environments

Basic understanding of AS9100, ISO 9001, or similar quality standards

Experience with data analysis tools (Excel, MATLAB, Python, or similar)

Familiarity with inspection equipment and metrology concepts

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

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