PTFE Materials & Propulsion Systems Engineering Internship

LOCATION: Kennedy Space Center, FL

JOB STATUS: Part-time / Internship

TRAVEL: Limited; as needed

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemistry, or a related STEM discipline
• Basic understanding of chemical properties, polymers, and materials science principles
• Familiarity with laboratory testing, experimental procedures, or materials characterization techniques
• Strong organizational skills and ability to document technical findings clearly and concisely
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative laboratory and engineering environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Must be able to support onsite work at NASA Kennedy Space Center

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS:

• Exposure to polymer degradation, contamination control, or chemical compatibility testing
• Familiarity with propulsion systems, valves, seals, or mechanical assemblies
• Experience with data analysis, technical reporting, or research documentation
• Experience working in laboratory environments involving hazardous materials or controlled processes
• Interest in sustainable engineering practices, reuse technologies, and spaceflight hardware development

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The selected intern will support engineering and laboratory activities focused on improving the reusability and safety of PTFE (Teflon) components used in spacecraft bipropellant propulsion systems. Work will include assisting with materials testing, evaluating chemical and mechanical degradation factors, supporting experimental setup development, and documenting technical findings.

Additional responsibilities may include supporting modified decontamination studies, assessing long-term material performance, assisting with analysis of off-gassing behavior, and evaluating concepts for onsite fabrication of propulsion system soft goods and valve components. The intern will work closely with engineers and scientists in a hands-on laboratory environment supporting advanced aerospace applications.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Through this internship, the student will gain hands-on experience in materials testing, degradation analysis, laboratory experimentation, and aerospace hardware evaluation. The intern will develop technical problem-solving skills while learning about propulsion system materials, contamination control, sustainable engineering approaches, and research methodologies used in support of NASA mission applications.

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