Sierra Space Internship in 2026
Sierra Space's internship program puts you on one of the most visible programs in commercial spaceflight — Dream Chaser, a runway-landing spaceplane, or LIFE, an inflatable space station module. The company is smaller than the defense primes, which means interns get closer to the actual hardware and have more direct interaction with senior engineers. If you want a summer where your work might show up on a spacecraft that flies, Sierra Space is a serious option.
What interns work on
Sierra Space places interns on active program teams. You are not doing make-work or sitting in a training program — you get assigned tasks that contribute to Dream Chaser, LIFE, or the company's ground systems and business operations.
Engineering intern tracks:
| Track | Example Projects | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Structures / Mechanical | Finite element analysis, composite layup design, thermal protection | Louisville, CO |
| Avionics | Circuit board testing, harness routing, power system modeling | Louisville, CO |
| GNC (Guidance, Navigation, Control) | Simulation development, sensor data analysis, algorithm testing | Louisville, CO |
| Software | Flight software testing, ground system features, simulation tools | Louisville, CO |
| Thermal | Orbital thermal modeling, re-entry heat analysis, habitat thermal control | Louisville, CO |
| Propulsion | Thruster testing, propellant system analysis, valve qualification | Louisville / Madison, WI |
| Test | Environmental test support, test procedure writing, data reduction | Louisville / KSC |
| Systems Integration | Requirements verification, interface analysis, integration planning | Louisville, CO |
Business and operations intern tracks:
| Track | Example Projects |
|---|---|
| Program Management | Schedule tracking, risk register updates, EVM analysis |
| Supply Chain | Vendor qualification, procurement support, inventory management |
| Finance | Budget analysis, cost forecasting, financial reporting |
| Marketing / Communications | Content creation, event support, social media |
| Human Resources | Recruiting support, onboarding process improvement |
The engineering tracks outnumber the business tracks by roughly 3 to 1 in intern slots. Dream Chaser work makes up the largest share of engineering intern assignments, followed by LIFE habitat.
Sierra Space's Louisville facility includes lab space, test facilities, and hardware integration areas. Engineering interns frequently get to see and sometimes work directly with flight or test hardware. At a company of 1,800 people, there are fewer layers between you and the spacecraft than at a defense prime with 100,000 employees. If your motivation is getting close to the hardware early in your career, Sierra Space delivers on that.
Pay and compensation
Sierra Space pays interns hourly. The rates are competitive for the Colorado market, though slightly below what large tech companies and some defense primes offer:
| Education Level | Hourly Rate | Estimated Monthly (40 hrs/wk) |
|---|---|---|
| Rising Junior (completed 2 years) | $25–$28 | $4,300–$4,850 |
| Rising Senior (completed 3 years) | $28–$32 | $4,850–$5,550 |
| Master's student | $32–$35 | $5,550–$6,050 |
Housing: Sierra Space does not provide corporate housing. Some intern cohorts have organized shared housing in Louisville or nearby Boulder/Broomfield. The company may offer a relocation stipend for out-of-state interns, but this varies by year. Budget $1,200 to $1,800 per month for a shared room in the Louisville/Boulder area.
Other benefits:
- Access to the Louisville office amenities (snacks, common areas)
- Intern events (lunch-and-learns, facility tours, social outings)
- Networking with program leadership and senior engineers
- No 401(k) or equity for interns
For comparison, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin pay similar or slightly higher hourly rates ($24 to $38/hr depending on level), but Sierra Space offers proximity to a flight program that those companies' intern programs may not match at the entry level.
University of Colorado Boulder students leave for the summer, freeing up sublet options in the $1,000 to $1,500/month range for shared apartments. Check CU housing boards and local Facebook groups starting in April. Living in Boulder gives you a 20-minute commute to Sierra Space and access to one of the best college town environments in the country during summer.
Application process and timeline
Sierra Space's internship application cycle runs on a similar timeline to other aerospace companies:
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Positions posted | September–November |
| Application deadline (soft) | November–January |
| Phone screens | November–February |
| Technical interviews | December–March |
| Offers extended | January–March |
| Program start | Late May / early June |
| Program end | Mid-August |
Sierra Space hires fewer interns than the defense primes — typically 50 to 80 per summer versus 2,000+ at Northrop Grumman. This smaller cohort means each position is competitive, but it also means you are not lost in a crowd of 2,000 interns.
What makes a strong Sierra Space intern application:
- Relevant coursework or projects in spacecraft systems, structures, thermal, or GNC
- CubeSat team or rocketry team participation (shows hands-on hardware experience)
- Programming skills (Python, MATLAB, C++ depending on the role)
- Genuine interest in Dream Chaser or commercial space stations — articulate why you care about Sierra Space specifically, not just "space" in general
- GPA of 3.0+ (stronger candidates typically have 3.3+)
- Prior aerospace internship experience helps but is not required
Interview format: Expect a recruiter screen (20 to 30 minutes) followed by a technical interview with the hiring manager and one or two engineers from the team (45 to 60 minutes). Technical questions are discipline-specific — structural analysis for ME roles, coding or algorithm questions for software, controls theory for GNC. Behavioral questions focus on teamwork, handling ambiguity, and working independently.
Conversion and return offers
Sierra Space extends return offers to strong interns, though the conversion rate is more variable than at defense primes because the company's hiring depends on program funding and contract awards.
Factors that affect return offers:
Program momentum: If Dream Chaser is on track for its next mission and the company is growing, more return offers go out. If there are budget constraints or program delays, fewer positions open up.
Your performance: Direct feedback from your manager and teammates drives the return decision. Interns who complete their projects independently, communicate effectively, and show initiative stand out.
Timing: If you are graduating, a full-time offer is the goal. If you have another year of school, a return internship offer is more common. Sierra Space values continuity — having an intern return to the same team the following year saves ramp-up time.
Typical conversion timeline: return offer decisions are usually communicated within 3 to 6 weeks of the internship ending. Some offers come earlier (during the last week of the internship) if the team is eager to lock you in.
Sierra Space is small enough that intern-to-engineer relationships persist. Former interns report that their Sierra Space managers and mentors remained professional contacts years later, even if they did not return full-time. In the Colorado aerospace community, where employees move between Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Blue Canyon, and Sierra Space, having connections across the cluster is a long-term career asset.
Sierra Space internship vs. other options
How does Sierra Space's program compare to alternatives you might be considering?
| Factor | Sierra Space | Northrop Grumman | Lockheed Martin | SpaceX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohort size | 50–80 | 2,000+ | 2,500+ | ~1,800 |
| Hourly pay (senior) | $28–$32 | $29–$33 | $28–$34 | $32–$42 |
| Housing support | Limited stipend | Stipend (some locations) | Stipend (some locations) | Stipend ($1,750/mo) |
| Hardware proximity | High | Varies by assignment | Varies by assignment | High |
| Mentorship | Informal but close | Formal program | Formal program | Informal |
| Primary location | Louisville, CO | Multiple (nationwide) | Multiple (nationwide) | Hawthorne CA, Starbase TX |
| Clearance involved | Rarely | Often | Often | Rarely |
| Work pace | Startup-moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Intense |
The key trade-off: Sierra Space offers closer hardware access and a tighter team experience but pays slightly less and has a smaller safety net (fewer intern positions, more variable return offers). Defense primes offer more positions, more locations, and structured programs with higher conversion rates.
What former interns say
Common themes from Sierra Space intern reviews and conversations:
Positive:
- "I worked on actual flight hardware analysis, not a side project nobody cared about"
- "The engineers were generous with their time — I could ask questions and get real answers"
- "Seeing Dream Chaser in the facility was motivating. It made the work feel tangible"
- "Louisville is a great place to spend a summer. Hiking, biking, and Boulder is right there"
Critical:
- "The intern program is less structured than what my friends experienced at Lockheed Martin"
- "Housing in Boulder/Louisville is expensive and the company did not help much"
- "I was not sure if I would get a return offer because the company seemed uncertain about headcount"
- "Some of the tools and processes felt less mature than what you would see at a big company"
FAQ
Does Sierra Space require U.S. citizenship for interns?
Most engineering intern positions require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency due to ITAR restrictions. Some business and non-technical roles may be open to international students with work authorization, but this is the exception. Check individual postings for specific requirements.
Can I intern at Sierra Space's Kennedy Space Center location?
A small number of intern positions are available at KSC for launch operations and integration work. These positions are posted separately and are typically filled by students in Florida or those willing to relocate to the Cape Canaveral area. The majority of intern slots are in Louisville.
What programming languages should I know for a Sierra Space software internship?
Python and C++ are the most relevant. Python is used for simulation, data analysis, and ground system tools. C/C++ is used for flight software and embedded systems. MATLAB is common for engineering analysis across several disciplines. Familiarity with Linux is a bonus for ground systems and DevOps-oriented roles.
How competitive is the Sierra Space internship?
Relatively competitive. With 50 to 80 slots and thousands of applicants, the acceptance rate is estimated at 2% to 5%. Candidates with prior aerospace experience (another internship, CubeSat team, relevant research) and strong GPAs have the best chances. Applying early (October to November) improves your odds.
Is Sierra Space financially stable?
Sierra Space has raised over $1.4 billion in funding and has the CRS-2 contract with NASA (valued at approximately $1.5 billion for 7 missions). The company is pre-revenue from Dream Chaser flights but has parent company support from Sierra Nevada Corporation. Financial stability is reasonable for a pre-revenue space company but less certain than working at a defense prime with decades of contract history.
Start your search
Browse Sierra Space positions on Zero G Talent, including internships and entry-level roles. For other Colorado aerospace internships, explore Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, or Blue Canyon Technologies. Compare internship programs across the industry with our guide to space internships, and search all space industry jobs on the site.
