Maxar Internship in 2026

Maxar Technologies sits at the intersection of satellite manufacturing and geospatial intelligence, which means their internships put students on the uncommon path of working on both the hardware that orbits Earth and the data products derived from the imagery those satellites capture.

About Maxar Technologies

Maxar Technologies is a space technology company that operates across two primary business domains: satellite manufacturing and Earth observation. The company builds commercial communications satellites and government spacecraft through its manufacturing division, and operates one of the world's most capable commercial Earth imaging constellations through its geospatial intelligence division.

The company traces its heritage through several predecessor organizations, including DigitalGlobe (Earth observation) and SSL/Space Systems Loral (satellite manufacturing). These lineages converged through a series of mergers and acquisitions, creating a company with both the ability to build satellites and the operational expertise to use them for intelligence, mapping, and environmental monitoring.

Maxar's WorldView Legion constellation, its latest generation of Earth observation satellites, delivers sub-30-centimeter resolution imagery with revisit rates measured in hours rather than days. This capability serves customers ranging from U.S. intelligence agencies to commercial mapping companies to humanitarian organizations tracking displacement and disaster impacts.

On the manufacturing side, Maxar has built more than 80 spacecraft based on its 1300-series bus platform, one of the most successful commercial satellite platforms in the industry. The company also builds robotic arms and satellite servicing systems, including the robotic arm on the OSAM-1 satellite servicing mission.

Internship Tracks and Disciplines

Maxar offers internships across multiple disciplines, reflecting the breadth of its business. Internships are generally divided between the satellite manufacturing side and the geospatial intelligence side, though some positions bridge both domains.

Satellite Engineering Internships place students on spacecraft design and integration teams. Tasks may include structural analysis, thermal modeling, power system design, propulsion system testing, or integration and test support. These positions are based primarily at Maxar's manufacturing facility and provide hands-on exposure to satellite hardware.

Geospatial Analysis Internships involve working with satellite imagery and derived data products. Interns may support image processing pipeline development, geospatial data analysis, machine learning model development for feature extraction, or quality assessment of imagery products. These positions leverage skills in remote sensing, GIS, computer vision, and data science.

Software Engineering Internships span both business areas. On the manufacturing side, interns may work on ground system software, satellite simulation environments, or digital engineering tools. On the geospatial side, opportunities include web application development, cloud infrastructure engineering, and data platform development.

Robotics Engineering Internships support Maxar's spacecraft robotic systems division. Interns work on mechanical design, control systems, simulation, or testing of robotic arms and mechanisms destined for space applications.

Pay and Compensation

Maxar compensates interns at hourly rates that vary by academic level, discipline, and geographic location. The company's intern compensation is competitive with other mid-to-large aerospace and technology companies.

Maxar has historically provided relocation assistance or housing stipends for interns who need to relocate for their assignment. The specifics of these programs can change from year to year, so confirm the details when you receive an offer.

Some intern positions may also include benefits such as access to employee discount programs, commuter benefits, and participation in company social events. Interns are generally invited to company-wide events, technical talks, and networking sessions with senior leadership.

Locations and Work Environment

Maxar operates from several facilities, each with distinct capabilities and cultures that shape the intern experience.

Westminster, Colorado is Maxar's headquarters and the center of its geospatial intelligence business. This facility houses the satellite operations center, geospatial analysis teams, software development groups, and corporate functions. The Westminster location provides access to Colorado's aerospace community and is near other major space companies.

Palo Alto, California is the legacy SSL/Space Systems Loral satellite manufacturing facility. This site includes cleanrooms, integration halls, and test facilities where commercial and government satellites are assembled, integrated, and tested. Engineering interns at this location may have the opportunity to see satellite hardware up close.

Pasadena, California houses Maxar's robotics division, which develops spacecraft robotic arms and mechanisms. This location is near NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the broader Pasadena aerospace community.

Some positions, particularly in software engineering and data science, may offer hybrid or remote work arrangements depending on the team and security requirements.

Application Process and Timeline

Maxar posts internship positions on its corporate careers website, typically beginning in the fall for the following summer. The application window usually opens in September or October and positions may fill on a rolling basis through the winter.

The application process involves submitting a resume and cover letter through the online portal, followed by a screening process that may include a phone interview with a recruiter and a technical interview with the hiring manager or team lead.

For engineering internships, technical interviews often focus on fundamental engineering knowledge relevant to the role, problem-solving approach, and any prior project or research experience. Geospatial analysis positions may include questions about remote sensing concepts, image interpretation, or data analysis methods. Software positions typically include a coding assessment or discussion of programming projects.

Maxar also recruits at career fairs at universities with strong aerospace engineering, remote sensing, geography, and computer science programs. If Maxar attends your school's career fair, that face-to-face interaction can be more impactful than an online application alone.

Skills That Set Candidates Apart

The competitive landscape for Maxar internships requires candidates to demonstrate more than just academic credentials. Here are the skills and experiences that distinguish top applicants.

For satellite engineering roles, hands-on project experience through CubeSat programs, senior design projects, or lab research is highly valued. Familiarity with spacecraft subsystem design concepts and tools like STK, MATLAB, or SolidWorks strengthens your profile.

For geospatial analysis roles, experience with ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth Engine, or similar platforms is essential. Proficiency in Python with geospatial libraries (GDAL, Rasterio, GeoPandas, Shapely) demonstrates readiness. Coursework or projects in remote sensing, photogrammetry, or computer vision are directly relevant.

For software engineering roles, strong programming fundamentals in Python, Java, or C++ are expected. Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure), containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and CI/CD pipelines makes you competitive for platform engineering positions.

For robotics roles, coursework or projects in control systems, mechanism design, kinematics, and simulation (MATLAB/Simulink, ROS) provide the strongest foundation.

Across all tracks, strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team matter. Maxar's intern projects typically culminate in a presentation to the team or broader organization, so the ability to communicate technical work clearly is a tangible advantage.

Conversion to Full-Time Employment

Maxar uses its internship program as a primary pipeline for full-time talent. Interns who perform well and demonstrate alignment with the company's mission receive strong consideration for full-time offers following graduation.

The conversion process typically begins in the final weeks of the internship. Managers assess intern performance based on the quality of their work, their ability to work independently, and their integration into the team. High-performing interns may receive verbal indications of interest before the formal offer process.

Full-time entry-level positions at Maxar include roles such as Satellite Systems Engineer, Geospatial Analyst, Software Developer, Robotics Engineer, and Mission Operations Specialist. Starting salaries vary by discipline and location but generally range from $75,000 to $105,000 for bachelor's-level engineers and $85,000 to $115,000 for master's-level engineers.

Former interns who return to school for additional semesters before graduating can often maintain a connection with their Maxar team and may be offered extended part-time work or return internships.

Explore internship and early-career opportunities across the space industry on Zero G Talent or browse current openings at satellite companies.

FAQ

Does Maxar require U.S. citizenship for all internships?

Not all positions require U.S. citizenship, but many do due to ITAR export control regulations and government customer requirements. Geospatial intelligence positions are more likely to require citizenship or clearance eligibility. Check each posting carefully.

Can I intern at Maxar as a non-engineering major?

Yes. Maxar offers positions in business, finance, communications, and other non-engineering functions. Geospatial analysis roles also accept geography, environmental science, and GIS majors in addition to engineering students.

What GPA do I need to be competitive?

Maxar does not always publish a hard GPA cutoff, but a 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale is typically expected. Candidates with lower GPAs can compensate with strong project experience, relevant skills, or prior industry experience.

Is remote work available for interns?

Some positions, particularly in software engineering and data science, may offer hybrid arrangements. However, many engineering and operations roles require on-site presence due to the nature of the work and security requirements. Confirm the work arrangement with the recruiter during the application process.

How does Maxar compare to other aerospace internships in terms of pay?

Maxar's intern compensation is competitive with mid-to-large aerospace companies and generally above smaller startups. The rates are slightly below the highest-paying tech companies but comparable to other satellite and defense contractors in the same geographic areas.