MAIT Additive Manufacturing Intern

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run.

We want you as a talented MAIT Additive Manufacturing Intern to help us in our mission by contributing significantly to Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology, development and in-house production for our Vehicles Nyx Earth and Nyx Moon.

We are looking for a highly motivated Additive Manufacturing (AM) Intern to join our team. In this versatile role, you will shadow and support our Senior AM Engineers in the qualification and development of cutting-edge additive manufacturing processes. You will gain invaluable hands-on experience in the lab, from operating printers to defining parameters for next-generation aerospace alloys. This is a unique opportunity to learn how to certify AM components to the highest industry standards, including NASA regulations, and to be at the forefront of new technology implementation, including potential Directed Energy Deposition (DED) processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process Parameter Engineering: Support senior engineers in analyzing data from Design of Experiments (DoEs) to understand how process parameters (e.g., laser power, scan speed) impact material density and microstructural evolution in advanced superalloys.

• Technology Scouting & Innovation: Investigate and evaluate emerging additive manufacturing technologies, advanced materials, and novel post-processing methods to identify opportunities for improving our in-house manufacturing capabilities.

• Failure Analysis (Root Cause): Participate in engineering investigations into build anomalies, learning to use established frameworks (e.g., 8D, Ishikawa) alongside experienced engineers to drive continuous process improvement.

• Hands-On AM Lab Operations: Gain practical experience by actively supporting the daily operations of our industrial additive manufacturing systems. This includes assisting with machine setup, build execution, safe powder handling, and post-processing, giving you a strong foundational understanding of the physical AM workflow.

• Certification Engineering: Shadow and support the engineering team in translating rigorous NASA and aerospace standards into actionable test plans, validation criteria, and process controls.

• Technical Documentation & SPC: Contribute to technical engineering reports, help draft technical specifications, and gain exposure to Statistical Process Control (SPC) frameworks for process qualification.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Work closely with design, materials science, and quality teams, developing your ability to communicate effectively across technical disciplines in a fast-paced aerospace environment.

Qualifications:

• Education: Currently enrolled student in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or a closely related field.

• Ability to be onsite 100% of the time at the TEC site in Mönchengladbach.

• Foundational Knowledge: Solid academic understanding of materials science, metallurgy, thermodynamics, and the structural mechanics of aerospace-grade metals.

• Problem-Solving Mindset: An eagerness to learn, paired with a proactive, data-driven approach to tackling complex engineering and manufacturing challenges.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written technical communication skills, with the ability to articulate academic engineering concepts collaboratively.

• Adaptability: Highly organized with the ability to balance ongoing learning objectives with project support roles simultaneously.

Preferred Skills:

• AM Engineering Experience: University project, thesis, or previous internship experience focused on the engineering analysis of additive manufacturing processes (LPBF, DED, EBM) rather than just standard machine operations.

• Software Familiarity: Basic exposure to CAD modeling, AM build preparation, and structural/thermal simulation software (e.g., Siemens NX, ANSYS, nTop, or Materialise Magics). Basic proficiency in Python or MATLAB for data analysis is a strong plus.

• Standards & Quality: Academic familiarity with or a strong interest in aerospace/NASA standards, statistical process control (SPC), or non-destructive testing (NDT) methodologies.

Contract Terms:

• This position is offered as a 4-month fixed-term internship contract.

Why you should join us!

What makes us special here at The Exploration Company and why we think you will enjoy working here is:  

• We’re Agile - we make decisions fast whilst keeping our goals and systems in mind 

• We’re Open and Collaborative - we are transparent about risks and obstacles, so that we can cooperate to overcome them  

• We have a lot of Fun - we refuel our energy knowing we are democratising space. It’s a wonderful and rare opportunity, are YOU up for the challenge?  

We'd love to hear from you if you wish to be a part of our journey. Please submit your CV now for immediate consideration and we will be in touch shortly. 
 
The Exploration Company is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status. Relocation assistance is provided for those willing to relocate including visa sponsorship where applicable.