Summer and Fall 2012 Internships at Altius Space Machines [Updated 5/30/12]

[Update 5/30/2012: Altius has now filled its summer internship positions, but is still accepting internship or student employment applications for fall (Sept through Nov/Dec) and Spring (Jan-Mar/Apr 2013) in the same three categories. Please let us know which time window you’re applying for in the coverletter.]

Are you tired of getting internship offers from Mojave rocket companies trying to lure you out to the desert with tales of glory, adventure, and mach diamonds the size of your head?

Not a big fan of 110F summers with blowing sand where you have to drive for over an hour to reach signs of civilization?

Are you a gearhead or roboticist who hates thermodynamics and fluids dynamics, but wants to do something space-related?

Or are you a budding orbital dynamicist who wants to show off your astrogation virtuosity, but would prefer to be working on a project that’s actually likely to fly?

Or have you always just been wanting to say that you had worked a summer building tractor beams?

If any of these apply, we may have the internship for you.

Altius Space Machines is accepting resumes for paid internship positions this summer and fall at our Louisville, Colorado location in the fields of orbital mechanics, robotics, and mechanical engineering. Altius is a small aerospace startup focused on developing spacecraft robotics system for non-cooperative capture, space station deliveries, and space debris mitigation. Our summer and fall internships will last for approximately three months each, and span from approximately June-August, and September-November, though we are flexible with start and stop times.

Here are some further details on the three internship areas we are offering:
Orbital Mechanics Internship

* JOB DESCRIPTION

Perform orbital dynamics analysis for a novel rendezvous and capture approach which will enable faster logistics turnaround of space station payloads, much more cost-effectively than traditional rendezvous and docking methods.  Assist in developing system requirements for a novel electromechanical robotic system that will be used to support non-cooperative rendezvous and docking for deliveries to space facilities.  Support other engineering efforts at Altius as opportunities arise.

* QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have completed educational coursework in orbital dynamics, with orbital rendezvous experience strongly preferred, and have a strong background with STK Astrogator and MATLAB/Simulink.

Additional Desired Skills/Experience:  kinematic analysis, robotic path planning.

Space Robotics Internship

* JOB DESCRIPTION

Design, simulate, and test path-planning algorithms and robotic force control algorithms for a novel electromechanical robotic system being designed for space applications of non-cooperative rendezvous and docking, satellite servicing and removal of orbital debris.

Assist in developing system requirements for a novel electromechanical robotic system that will be used to support non-cooperative rendezvous and docking for deliveries to space facilities.  Support other engineering efforts at Altius as opportunities arise.

* QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have hands-on extracurricular robotics experience and will have completed educational coursework involving embedded systems software, robotic path planning algorithms, the mechanical engineering of mechanisms, and applied robotic force control.  Candidates with educational coursework or hands-on experience in any two of these areas, with interest or plans in the other areas, will be considered.

Additional Desired Skills/Experience:  kinematic analysis, embedded programming (C, C++, and/or MATLAB/Simulink), prototype-level electronics. Solidworks, Solidworks/Motion, or other CAD experience not required, but a plus.  Familiarity with shop tools and hand tools a plus.  Instrumentation and data acquisition experience a plus.

Mechanical Engineer Internship

* JOB DESCRIPTION

Design and build mechanical parts for a novel electromechanical robotic system being developed for space applications of satellite servicing and removal of orbital debris.

Assist in developing system requirements for a second electromechanical robotic system that will be used to support non-cooperative rendezvous and docking for deliveries to space facilities.  Support other engineering efforts at Altius as opportunities arise.

* QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum requrements:
– Significant experience with at least one CAD program
– Experience fabricating parts with machine shop equipment (mills, lathes, general rapid prototyping, CNC controlled machines)
– Extracurricular mechanical design
– General mechanical aptitude
– Understanding of the design processes (proper concept generation and selection based on mechanism requirements)
– Good teamwork, interpersonal and communication skills

Additional Desired Skills/Experience:
SolidWorks experience is strongly preferred; kinematic analysis; experience with SolidWorks/Motion.  Programming (C, C++, and/or MATLAB/Simulink), prototype-level electronics, or robotic force control experience would each be a plus.

For all three Altius summer internships:  U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency required.

Send cover email to resumes@altius-space.com describing the unique way your qualifications and interests match this position.