Last updated: September 2026
The next time you fly, dozens of components keeping you safe will be made by a company most passengers have never heard of. TransDigm Group (NYSE: TDG) is an S&P 500 aerospace conglomerate manufacturing proprietary, often sole-source components found on virtually every commercial and military aircraft. With $8.83 billion in revenue, 16,500 employees, 50+ operating units, and $4.17 billion in operating income on 47% margins, TransDigm is one of the most profitable companies in aerospace. The company does NOT run a centralized intern program. Each independently managed subsidiary, from Arkwin Industries to Calspan to Data Device Corporation, hires co-ops and interns directly, offering niche, hands-on experience on flight-critical hardware.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | Individual subsidiary career pages via Indeed and LinkedIn (Arkwin, Korry Electronics, Data Device Corp, Calspan, CMC Electronics, Champion Aerospace) |
| Application window (2027-28) | Year-round (co-ops confirmed live for Spring and Fall 2027 at Arkwin Industries) |
| Rolling? | Yes. Each operating unit fills positions independently |
| Eligibility | Engineering students (ME, AE, EE, Systems); US citizenship often required (ITAR/defense) |
| Duration | Co-ops: semester-length; internships: summer (varies by unit) |
| Compensation | Competitive for aerospace; limited public data due to decentralized structure |
| Locations | Cleveland OH (HQ), Westbury NY, Everett WA, Bohemia NY, Buffalo NY, Liberty SC, Montreal |
| # Programs | 50+ operating units hire independently; corporate MBA Management Development Program separate |
Critical: TransDigm has NO centralized intern program. Each of 50+ operating units hires independently. Search by subsidiary name (Arkwin, Korry, Data Device, Calspan) on Indeed and LinkedIn.
Externships are short, remote professional experience programs where you finish a real project with a real company. The Wayfair AI Agent Engineering Externship and the Hydroficient IoT Cyber Defense Externship build engineering and systems skills TransDigm subsidiaries value. Explore all Externships.
What Is a TransDigm Group Internship?
A TransDigm internship or co-op is a placement at one of 50+ independently managed operating units, each designing and manufacturing proprietary aerospace components. Unlike centralized programs at Boeing or Lockheed Martin, TransDigm's decentralized model means Arkwin Industries, Korry Electronics, Data Device Corporation, and Calspan each run their own hiring. The corporate level offers a Management Development Program for MBA graduates and a Junior Military Officer Program, but undergraduate positions exist only at the operating-unit level. This means small teams (100-500 employees), direct exposure to flight-critical hardware, and rapid responsibility escalation. TransDigm promotes from within: two-thirds or more of senior leadership positions are filled internally.
When Do TransDigm Group Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?
TransDigm's decentralized model means there is no single application timeline. Each of 50+ operating units posts and fills positions independently, with some offering year-round co-ops (Arkwin has confirmed Spring and Fall 2027 co-ops). The best strategy is to identify 3-5 operating units aligned with your engineering discipline and monitor their postings on Indeed and LinkedIn. The corporate Management Development Program (MBA only) follows structured fall recruiting.
Identify TransDigm operating units that match your engineering discipline. Search subsidiary names on Indeed and LinkedIn. Arkwin Industries has confirmed co-op postings for Spring and Fall 2027.
Summer 2027 intern postings expected across subsidiary career pages. Apply directly to individual operating units. Each runs its own timeline and interview process.
Phone screens and technical interviews at the operating-unit level. Expect questions about aerospace systems, materials, and mechanical design. Some units conduct facility tours.
Offers extended rolling. Many positions require US citizenship verification due to ITAR. Security clearance processes may extend timelines for defense-focused units.
Summer co-op or internship at your assigned operating unit. Small-team environment with direct exposure to design, manufacturing, and testing of flight-critical aerospace components.
How to read this page: our dates come from tracking previous recruiting cycles and daily posting data. Treat them as informed estimates based on historical patterns, not confirmed dates. The company's official careers page is always the most current source. If a role is posted there, go by that, even if this page suggests the window hasn't opened yet.
Why You Must Apply the Week Applications Open
TransDigm's operating units are small (100-500 employees each), making intern positions scarce. Because there is no centralized portal, candidates who proactively search subsidiary names on Indeed find opportunities most applicants miss. The first to apply to a specific operating unit's posting have a structural advantage in a process where each unit may hire only 1-3 interns per season.
Which TransDigm Group Internship Programs Should You Target?
TransDigm does NOT operate a centralized intern program. Undergraduate opportunities exist at the operating-unit level, while corporate programs serve MBA graduates and military veterans.
| Program / Unit | Focus | Duration | Key details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkwin Industries (Westbury, NY) | Systems engineering co-op: mechanical/aerospace, electric power, hydraulic actuation | Semester-length | Confirmed live for Spring and Fall 2027 |
| Data Device Corporation (Bohemia, NY) | Data communications and power electronics for aerospace/defense | Summer/semester | MIL-STD data bus products; small-team culture |
| Calspan (Buffalo, NY) | Flight research, aerospace testing, and engineering services | Summer/semester | Acquired 2023 for $725M; wind tunnels and flight test |
| Korry Electronics (Everett, WA) | Cockpit electronics, displays, and lighting for aircraft | Summer | Pacific Northwest; avionics engineering exposure |
| Management Development Program | Three 8-month rotations across operating units (MBA graduates only) | 2 years | Corporate-level; transitions to permanent management |
| Junior Military Officer Program | Veteran transition to operating-unit leadership | Ongoing | Placement across subsidiaries; not for students |
Additional subsidiaries include Champion Aerospace (Liberty SC), CMC Electronics (Montreal), and many others. Visit transdigm.com/talent-development for an overview.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
Eligibility varies by operating unit, but aerospace/defense industry norms apply:
• Education: currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student in engineering (mechanical, aerospace, electrical, systems engineering).
• Work authorization: US citizenship often required due to ITAR regulations and defense contract classifications. Some commercial aviation units may accept permanent residents.
• GPA: not specified at the corporate level; varies by operating unit.
• Security clearance: some positions at defense-focused subsidiaries may require or initiate security clearance processes.
Why Does TransDigm Require US Citizenship for Many Positions?
TransDigm manufactures components classified under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Employees who access controlled technical data must be US persons (citizens or permanent residents). This applies to most engineering co-ops at defense-focused units. Commercial aviation subsidiaries may have more flexibility. Check each posting individually.
What Skills Does TransDigm Group Look For, and How Do You Build Them?
TransDigm's operating units design and manufacture flight-critical aerospace components, and intern hiring reflects the precision-engineering culture. Mechanical design, CAD proficiency, and materials knowledge are foundational. Electrical engineering matters for avionics and power systems units. The differentiator is sole-source aerospace expertise: understanding how proprietary components are designed, qualified, and maintained for aircraft with decades-long lifecycles.
What TransDigm Group looks for in interns
Skills across 6 TransDigm Group intern & analyst job descriptions · Subsidiary co-op/intern JDs and aerospace industry norms, projecting 2027-2028
Method: analysis of TransDigm subsidiary JDs and aerospace industry norms. Projected for 2027.
How Is Demand for Aerospace Engineering Interns Moving Right Now?
Aerospace components & defense intern hiring: September 2026
Across US aerospace and defense intern postings tracked this month
September 2026 shows strong aerospace tailwinds from both defense spending and commercial recovery, creating robust demand for engineering interns at components manufacturers.
Method: aggregate analysis of US aerospace intern postings, September 2026.
Build These Skills Before You Apply
Every skill in the chart maps to a remote Externship you can finish before applying.
| Skill (from real JDs) | JD evidence | Externship that builds it |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering & systems design | Arkwin: hydraulic/electric actuation; Data Device: data bus electronics; Calspan: flight test | Wayfair AI Agent Engineering |
| IoT & embedded systems | Korry: cockpit electronics; Champion: turbine ignition systems | Hydroficient IoT Cyber Defense |
| Financial analysis (MDP track) | Management Development Program: P&L responsibility across operating units | Yinan Zhao Investing & Financial Modeling |
The Wayfair project builds engineering and systems thinking, the Hydroficient project covers embedded systems skills avionics units expect, and the Yinan Zhao project trains financial analysis for the MDP track.
What Is the TransDigm Group Application and Interview Process Like?
TransDigm's hiring varies by operating unit. The general pattern for engineering co-ops:
1. Identify target operating units. Research which of TransDigm's 50+ subsidiaries aligns with your engineering discipline. Search subsidiary names on Indeed and LinkedIn.
2. Apply directly to the subsidiary. No centralized portal exists. Submit through the subsidiary's career page or via Indeed/LinkedIn.
3. Phone screen with subsidiary HR. Background, engineering interests, and availability. Expect questions about why aerospace components.
4. Technical interview with engineering team. Role-specific questions about design, materials, or electrical systems. Some units include a facility tour.
5. Background check and offer. Many positions require US citizenship verification. Security clearance processes may add time.
Know which subsidiary you are targeting and what it makes. TransDigm's 50+ units span hydraulic actuators to cockpit displays to flight test operations. Our HireVue question guide with a free AI mock tool covers the behavioral-question format.
What the Community Says
TransDigm's decentralized structure and sole-source business model generate significant discussion in aerospace communities.
TransDigm is known for acquiring niche aerospace parts manufacturers and optimizing operations. For interns, this means small, focused operating units where you see the full product lifecycle from design through manufacturing and testing.
TransDigm promotes two-thirds or more of senior leadership from within, creating clear career progression for strong interns and early-career engineers who join through subsidiary co-op programs.
With 47% operating margins and $8.8 billion in revenue, TransDigm is one of the most profitable aerospace companies. The financial strength translates to stable intern programs at the subsidiary level even during industry downturns.
How Do You Stand Out at the Hidden Giant of Aerospace?
Three moves, all executable before fall 2026. First, identify the specific subsidiary and learn its product line. Arkwin makes hydraulic actuators. Korry makes cockpit displays. Data Device makes MIL-STD data bus products. In your interview, demonstrate you know what the subsidiary builds and why that niche interests you. Second, understand the sole-source model. TransDigm's components are often the only option for an aircraft platform, meaning the engineering work is critical and products have decades-long lifecycles. Frame your interest around reliability and precision. Third, prepare for the citizenship question proactively. If you are a US citizen, state it clearly. If you are a permanent resident, check the specific posting. International students should focus on commercial aviation units with more flexibility.
What Other Companies Should You Consider?
TransDigm's peer set spans aerospace components manufacturers and defense contractors.
- Cleveland-CliffsCleveland-based industrial manufacturer; shared Ohio engineering talent poolGuide →
- Alcoaaluminum manufacturer serving aerospace; materials science overlap with TransDigm's metallic componentsGuide →
- ExxonMobilenergy major with large engineering intern programs; competes for the same engineering talent at Midwest universitiesGuide →
- Marathon Petroleumenergy/refining company with Houston and Midwest engineering intern tracksGuide →
Our aerospace internships guide maps the full defense and aviation landscape.
FAQ
Does TransDigm have a centralized internship program?
No. TransDigm operates a highly decentralized model where each of its 50-plus operating units manages its own hiring. There is no single career portal for undergraduate internships. The corporate level offers a Management Development Program for MBA graduates only.
How do I find TransDigm internships?
Search individual subsidiary names on Indeed and LinkedIn: Arkwin Industries, Korry Electronics, Data Device Corporation, Calspan, CMC Electronics, Champion Aerospace. Each unit posts co-ops and internships through its own channels.
Does TransDigm require US citizenship for interns?
Many positions require US citizenship due to ITAR regulations and defense classifications. Commercial aviation subsidiaries may have more flexibility. Check each posting individually and state your citizenship status clearly in your application.
What is the TransDigm Management Development Program?
The MDP is for recent MBA graduates: three 8-month rotations at different operating units, transitioning to permanent management. This is NOT an undergraduate internship. TransDigm University, a partnership with USC Marshall, is for current employees only.
How much do TransDigm interns get paid?
Specific data is limited due to the decentralized structure. Aerospace engineering co-ops typically pay $20 to $30 per hour. TransDigm's 47% operating margins and strong financials suggest competitive compensation within the aerospace components sector.
Where are TransDigm operating units located?
Across the US and internationally: Cleveland OH (HQ), Westbury NY (Arkwin), Everett WA (Korry), Bohemia NY (Data Device), Buffalo NY (Calspan), Liberty SC (Champion), Montreal (CMC Electronics), and many more.
What engineering disciplines does TransDigm hire?
Mechanical, aerospace, electrical, and systems engineering are most common. Some units hire for materials science, quality engineering, and manufacturing engineering. The specific discipline depends on which subsidiary you target.
Can a TransDigm co-op lead to a full-time job?
Yes. TransDigm promotes two-thirds or more of senior leadership from within, indicating strong internal career pathways. Full-time offers come from the specific operating unit where you interned. The decentralized model means your relationship is with the subsidiary, not corporate.
TransDigm's hidden aerospace empire starts with knowing which subsidiary to target. Build engineering proof: a remote Externship turns interest in aerospace components into a finished project your application can point at.
About the Author
Bifei Wang has spent 17 years focused on human flow and the growth of young professionals, spanning international education, career training and coaching, and recruitment process outsourcing. Over 7 years at Extern, he has had one-on-one sessions with thousands of students exploring careers in consulting, finance, tech, marketing, and data, giving him a firsthand view of how the job market has shifted for early-career professionals and what it actually takes to break in.
