Aerospace and Defense Internships Summer 2027: The Complete Guide to Getting Hired

TL;DR

• The aerospace and defense sector is one of the strongest internship markets for summer 2027. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 6% growth for aerospace engineers through 2033, with a median salary of $134,830. Companies like NASA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman are paying interns $26 to $48 per hour.

• Below, you'll find 14 top employers broken down by category: government, defense primes, commercial aerospace, and new space companies.

• We've mapped out the full summer 2027 recruiting calendar with specific deadlines so nothing catches you off guard.

• The skills section goes beyond "learn MATLAB" and breaks down what actually shows up in job postings, by role type.

• Scroll to the FAQ for answers on security clearances, GPA minimums, and the U.S. citizenship question.

Externships are short, remote professional experience programs where you work on real projects with real companies. An Externship in IoT cyber defense with Hydroficient, operational strategy with Amazon, or deal sourcing with HP Tech Ventures gives you portfolio-ready work before aerospace applications open. Explore all Externships.

What Are Aerospace and Defense Internships, and Why Should You Care Right Now?

What Does an Aerospace Intern Actually Do?

An aerospace internship is a paid, full-time summer position (typically 10 to 12 weeks) at a company that designs, builds, tests, or maintains aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, missiles, or defense systems. You're not shadowing someone or organizing files. You're running MATLAB simulations, supporting structural analysis on flight hardware, writing test procedures for avionics, or sitting in systems engineering reviews on multibillion-dollar programs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 68,900 aerospace engineering jobs in the U.S. in 2023. Growth is projected at 6% through 2033, which works out to about 4,200 openings per year. Median pay sits at $134,830 as of May 2024. That kind of career payoff is exactly why these positions are competitive. Everyone can see the math.

Why Companies Are Expanding Their Intern Programs

Something most students don't realize: aerospace companies need talent more urgently right now than at any point in the last twenty years. That urgency works in your favor.

Start with the money. Congress approved $858.9 billion in base discretionary defense spending for FY2026. The White House's FY2027 request then jumped to a historic $1.5 trillion, the largest single-year defense ask since World War II, per analysis from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

But demographics are the bigger story. A 2025 AIA and McKinsey workforce study surveyed 30+ organizations representing over 600,000 U.S. employees and found that 76% of companies reported difficulty hiring engineers. Twenty-nine percent of the workforce is retirement-eligible. The sector's 15% attrition rate is more than double any other industry.

So thousands of experienced engineers are leaving, budgets keep growing, and someone needs to fill the pipeline. If you're studying aerospace, mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering, this is one of the strongest hiring windows in a generation.

Which Companies Are Hiring Aerospace Interns for Summer 2027?

Every company name below links to our full guide with application steps, interview tips, and program specifics.

Government and National Labs

NASA is the name everyone thinks of first. Through its OSTEM portal, NASA takes in more than 2,000 interns each year. Over FY2022 and FY2023, the agency received roughly 281,000 applications and selected about 4,500 candidates. That's a 1.6% acceptance rate. Brutal, but NASA runs multiple application cycles per year, so you get more than one shot.

Defense Primes

The major defense contractors run some of the biggest engineering internship programs in the country:

• Lockheed Martin: The world's largest defense contractor. Programs cover aeronautics (F-35), space (Orion capsule), and rotary/mission systems.

• Northrop Grumman: Known for the B-21 Raider stealth bomber and the James Webb Space Telescope. Hubs in Palmdale, CA and Melbourne, FL.

• Raytheon (RTX): Missiles, radar, and cybersecurity. Part of RTX Corporation alongside Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney.

• BAE Systems: Electronic systems and intelligence. Lower name recognition among students, so a bit less competition.

• L3Harris Technologies: Communication systems, sensors, and space payloads. Growing programs worth watching.

Commercial Aerospace

Prefer passenger aircraft or jet engines over defense contracts? These are your targets:

• Boeing: Commercial aircraft (737, 787), defense, and space. One of the largest intern cohorts in the industry. Rolling applications help if you apply late.

• Airbus: Some programs accept international students, which is rare in this sector.

• Pratt & Whitney: Jet engine manufacturer (part of RTX). A strong pick for propulsion and thermodynamics.

• Collins Aerospace: Avionics, interiors, and mission systems. Also part of RTX.

• Honeywell Aerospace: Engines, avionics, and connected aircraft systems.

• GE Aerospace: Standalone after GE's breakup. The Edison Engineering Development Program is a well-known rotational entry path.

New Space and Defense Tech

The fastest-growing segment. The culture here looks nothing like a traditional defense prime:

• SpaceX: Extremely selective. What you've built matters far more than your GPA.

• Blue Origin: New Glenn rocket and Blue Moon lunar lander. Growing programs in Kent, WA and Huntsville, AL.

• Anduril Industries: Defense tech disruptor. Autonomous systems, sensor fusion, and a startup pace applied to national security.

When Do Applications Open for Summer 2027?

Timing is everything in aerospace recruiting. Miss the window and you wait a full year.

The Fall 2026 Window (August Through November)

Most defense primes post summer 2027 positions between August and October 2026, roughly nine to ten months before the June start date. Lockheed Martin reviews applications on a rolling basis. Applying in the first two weeks after a posting goes live noticeably improves your odds.

If you're reading this in late summer or fall 2026, you're in the sweet spot. Don't sit on it. For a broader look at timelines across industries, see our guide on when internship applications open by industry.

Rolling and Spring Deadlines (December Through March 2027)

Not every company sticks to the fall cycle. NASA runs multiple windows per year. The summer 2027 NASA OSTEM deadline is February 26, 2027. And the spring 2027 cycle closes September 14, 2026, so if you're ready now, you could apply for spring while also targeting summer.

Boeing accepts applications on a rolling basis year-round. That's helpful if you missed the fall push, but the strongest candidates tend to get picked up by December.

Key Dates to Mark Right Now

Based on historical patterns and confirmed 2027 deadlines:

• September 14, 2026: NASA OSTEM spring 2027 deadline

• August to October 2026: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, BAE Systems post summer 2027 roles

• October to November 2026: SWE and SHPE conferences (major recruiting events)

• February 26, 2027: NASA OSTEM summer 2027 deadline

• Ongoing (rolling): Boeing, SpaceX, Anduril, Blue Origin

What Technical Skills Do Aerospace Employers Want?

What Actually Shows Up in Job Postings

Data from hiring.cafe, which aggregated 57,809 engineering intern postings, shows the most frequently mentioned skills are AutoCAD (157 mentions), Python (150), Excel (144), and C++ (82). Aerospace-specific listings skew a bit differently.

For aerospace roles, MATLAB is the go-to tool for modeling, simulation, and control systems. SolidWorks and CATIA dominate on the CAD side. Python keeps showing up for data analysis and test automation. And if you're eyeing avionics or embedded systems work, you need C and C++.

Which skills matter most depends on your track. Structural and mechanical roles lean on CAD tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, ANSYS) and fundamental hand calculations. Software and systems roles want Python, C++, and requirements management tools like DOORS. Propulsion? Thermodynamics, MATLAB, and CFD tools.

For a broader skills list, check out our skills to put on a resume guide.

The Non-Technical Stuff That Actually Matters

Technical ability gets you through the resume screen. Interviews are where the softer things come in. Hiring managers consistently look for clear communication (you'll explain technical decisions to program managers and government customers), attention to detail (one calculation error can ground a $200 million satellite), and security awareness (defense employers want people who take information handling seriously, even in unclassified roles).

At Extern, we've watched students who complete project-based professional experiences before applying to competitive programs walk into interviews with noticeably more confidence. Having real deliverables to reference changes the conversation entirely.

How Do You Land an Aerospace Internship With No Experience?

This is the question that comes up most. It's a fair one. Acceptance rates at top aerospace programs can dip below 5%. But "no experience" doesn't equal "no chance." It means you need to be deliberate about what you build before you apply.

Build a Portfolio That Shows Engineering Judgment

Your coursework projects count, but only if you can frame them around decisions, tradeoffs, and outcomes. Nobody cares that you finished a senior design project. They care about why you picked that material, how you adjusted when the first approach didn't work, and what the testing told you.

Get involved in hands-on engineering orgs. AIAA student chapters host design competitions. Rocketry clubs (many compete in the Spaceport America Cup) give you practical experience with propulsion and structures. Personal projects work too: 3D-printing a drone frame, building a model rocket with a custom flight computer, or writing a Python orbital mechanics sim.

Our guide on how to get an internship with no experience covers more strategies.

Use Externships to Fill the Gap

If you don't have access to rocketry clubs or relevant research labs, remote Externships are another way in. An Externship is a short, remote, project-based professional experience where you produce real deliverables for a real company with industry mentorship. Most run 8 weeks at 5 to 10 hours per week.

An Externship in IoT cyber defense with Hydroficient or operational strategy with Amazon gives you something specific to put on your resume and talk about in interviews. Having worked with 99 companies to date, we've watched students use these experiences to break into fields they previously felt shut out of. In Extern's 2024 outcomes study, 75% of participants landed a role within one year.

Use Career Fairs and Faculty Connections

Career fairs remain one of the best ways to get face time with aerospace recruiters. SWE, NSBE, and SHPE all host major fall conferences where Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman recruit heavily. AIAA's SciTech Forum is another solid option.

And talk to your professors. Faculty with active DARPA, AFRL, or NASA research grants often know hiring managers at those agencies directly. A recommendation from someone who's worked with the agency carries serious weight.

If you're a U.S. citizen eyeing defense roles, start organizing your background information now: foreign contacts, addresses for the last ten years, and financial records. The clearance process runs three to six months once an employer sponsors it.

What's the Difference Between Aerospace and Defense Internships?

Commercial (Aerospace) vs. Classified (Defense)

The labels overlap, but the daily experience differs. Commercial aerospace work (Boeing 787 production, GE engine testing) is typically unclassified. You can post about it on LinkedIn, include it in a portfolio, and publish papers. Defense work (Lockheed Martin F-35 systems, Raytheon missile guidance) often involves classified information. You can't share specifics about what you built or tested. Your resume describes the role in general terms.

Commercial programs offer more portfolio flexibility. Defense programs tend to pay a bit more (clearance premiums), convert interns at higher rates, and put you on some of the most advanced engineering challenges on the planet. Which is better depends entirely on what you value.

Dual-Use Companies

Lots of the biggest names straddle both sides. Boeing builds the 787 Dreamliner and the P-8 Poseidon. Northrop Grumman built the James Webb Space Telescope and the B-21 stealth bomber. Your team assignment determines your experience. When applying, look at the division. If clearance is listed as a requirement, it's defense.

How Much Do Aerospace Interns Earn?

Pay by Company and Education Level

These positions pay well. Glassdoor salary data from mid-2026 shows engineering interns at Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and RTX earning $26 to $48 per hour, with the median around $35. That's roughly $5,600 to $7,700 per month for a full-time summer role.

Graduate students and software engineering interns land toward the top of that range. SpaceX and Anduril pay competitively with Silicon Valley tech companies, though sample sizes are smaller.

After 17 years working with students at career transition points, one thing I've noticed is how often students underestimate aerospace pay compared to tech. These programs are comparable, and many also include housing or relocation help.

Perks You Might Not Expect

Boeing and Lockheed Martin offer housing assistance for relocating interns. NASA provides a stipend plus travel costs. And several defense primes sponsor your security clearance during the internship itself, which has lasting career value. A clearance is expensive for companies to process, so once you hold one, you become much more attractive to every defense employer in the market.

Do You Need Security Clearance?

Clearance Requirements by Program Type

A security clearance is government authorization to access classified information. Three levels: Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret. Most defense internships require at least Secret, though many companies sponsor the clearance for interns rather than requiring one upfront.

The big constraint: only U.S. citizens qualify. ITAR restrictions go further, limiting who can work on certain programs even in unclassified roles. If you're an international student, focus on commercial aerospace. Airbus in particular has international-friendly options.

Preparing for a Background Investigation

If you're a U.S. citizen expecting a clearance process, get organized now. Pull together foreign contacts, foreign travel records, and addresses for the last ten years. Be completely honest on the SF-86 form. Investigators care about honesty and judgment, not a spotless record. Minor issues are rarely disqualifying. Dishonesty always is.

What Comes After an Aerospace Internship?

Return Offers and Conversion Rates

NACE's 2026 Internship and Co-op Survey found that the internship-to-full-time conversion rate for the 2024-25 class hit 63.1%, the highest mark in five years. Aerospace and defense companies tend to convert at or above that number. The clearance investment and training costs make it expensive to let good interns leave.

Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman all run structured intern-to-full-time pipelines. Perform well and your team has headcount? A return offer is standard, not a pleasant surprise. Our consulting internships summer 2027 guide covers similar patterns in another competitive sector.

Career Trajectory

Entry-level aerospace engineers typically start in the low-to-mid six figures. Defense primes promote from within, and a continuous clearance history makes you more valuable with each year.

Your Aerospace Internship Checklist for This Semester

Here's the action plan:

1. Pick your 15 to 20 target companies. Mix defense primes, commercial manufacturers, and two or three new space companies from the lists above.

2. Check citizenship and clearance eligibility. Not a U.S. citizen? Narrow your list to commercial aerospace and companies with international-friendly tracks.

3. Update your resume with technical projects. Highlight CAD, MATLAB, Python, and anything hands-on. Quantify what you can.

4. Join AIAA or a rocketry/design competition team. These are the single best resume builders for aerospace applicants without prior experience.

5. Submit to NASA OSTEM by September 14, 2026 for spring 2027. Apply again by February 26, 2027 for summer.

6. Hit SWE, NSBE, or SHPE career fairs in October and November. Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman recruit heavily at all three.

7. Follow up on every application. Connect with recruiters on LinkedIn. Send a short, professional note two weeks after submitting.

8. Prep for technical interviews. Practice walking through your projects, solving statics and dynamics problems, and explaining engineering tradeoffs clearly.

Still building your experience? An Externship gives you resume-ready professional experience with a real company in as little as 8 weeks, entirely remote. It's a fast path from "no relevant background" to "here's what I delivered."

For more job-search strategies, check out our list of the best websites to find internships.

FAQ

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to intern at NASA or a defense contractor?

Most defense programs and NASA require U.S. citizenship because of ITAR regulations and security clearance rules. A few commercial aerospace companies, Airbus being the most notable, do accept international students for certain programs. Some defense contractors also have non-classified roles that don't require citizenship. Check each position's eligibility page before you apply.

What GPA do aerospace companies look for?

No universal minimum, but most defense primes and NASA post a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale as a baseline. Boeing and Lockheed Martin screen there. SpaceX and Anduril care more about what you've built and how you interview than your transcript. Strong hands-on engineering projects can compensate for a GPA below 3.0 at project-focused employers.

Can freshmen or sophomores get aerospace internships?

Yes, though the competition is tougher at that stage. NASA's OSTEM program and a handful of defense primes take underclassmen. Your best move early on is smaller programs, university research assistant positions, or remote Externships that let you build concrete resume entries before your junior year when the bigger programs are more within reach.

What majors do aerospace employers recruit?

Aerospace engineering is the most obvious fit, but mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, physics, and systems engineering are all actively sought. Many companies also hire business, supply chain, and communications students for non-engineering internship roles within their aerospace divisions. Your major is less limiting than you might assume.

How many positions should I apply to?

At least 15 to 20, spread across defense primes, commercial manufacturers, and newer space companies. Top programs can have acceptance rates below 5%. Volume matters, but so does quality. Tailor each application to the specific role and company rather than copying and pasting one version.

Is aerospace engineering still a good career choice in 2027?

Yes. BLS projects 6% growth through 2033, median pay exceeds $134,000, and defense spending is at record highs. On top of that, 29% of the aerospace workforce is retirement-eligible. Rising budgets combined with a shrinking experienced labor pool means the industry needs new engineers badly, and the trend isn't slowing down.

How is an aerospace internship different from an Externship?

A traditional aerospace internship is full-time, on-site, and typically runs 10 to 12 weeks over the summer. An Externship is shorter (usually 8 weeks), remote, and project-based at about 5 to 10 hours per week. You produce real deliverables with guided mentorship from industry professionals. Externships are useful for building skills and resume experience before applying to selective aerospace programs.