Summer 2026

Mechanical Engineer Intern

Posted on 9/10/2026

AeroVironment

AeroVironment

1,001-5,000 employees

Defense technology and unmanned aerial systems

No salary listed

No H1B Sponsorship

Simi Valley, CA, USA

In Person

US Citizenship Required

Bachelor's

Category
Mechanical Engineering (1)
Required Skills
GD&T
SolidWorks

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Requirements
  • Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field.
  • Basic experience with 3D computer-aided design software, preferably SolidWorks.
  • Familiarity with mechanical components such as machined parts, sheet metal, plastic parts, or composite materials.
  • Exposure to hands-on prototyping, lab testing, or mechanical assembly through academic or personal projects.
  • Strong communication and organizational skills.
  • Ability to work in an office and light research and development laboratory environment.
  • Ability to sit or stand for extended periods and use hands and fingers to operate a computer or tools.
  • Must qualify as a U.S. person under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations, or be eligible for an export license.
  • U.S. citizenship is required for this position.
  • Must be willing to work on government contracts and have the ability to obtain a security clearance.
Responsibilities
  • Assist in the design of mechanical components and systems, including airframes, payload enclosures, ground equipment, launch systems, and electromechanical assemblies.
  • Create and modify 3D computer-aided design models and assemblies using SolidWorks.
  • Support simulation and analysis tasks using SolidWorks Simulation or ANSYS.
  • Participate in prototype fabrication, assembly, and testing using in-house tools and rapid prototyping methods such as 3D printing.
  • Help generate technical drawings and bills of materials in accordance with industry drafting standards.
  • Collaborate with engineers to support design reviews, testing activities, and integration of mechanical systems.
  • Contribute to documentation and reporting of design progress and test results.
  • Learn and assist in configuration control and engineering change processes.
  • Perform other tasks as assigned to support ongoing development efforts.
Desired Qualifications
  • Familiarity with SolidWorks EPDM or other Product Data Management systems.
  • Exposure to ASME Y14.5 Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing standards and engineering drawing practices.
  • Interest or experience in designing test fixtures or tooling.
  • Basic understanding of structural dynamics or thermodynamics in mechanical design.

AeroVironment designs and builds defense robotic systems for air, land, and space, including small hand-launched drones, high-altitude surveillance aircraft, and the Switchblade loitering munition. Its products operate as autonomous or semi-autonomous platforms with sensors, control software, and payloads, enabling reconnaissance and, for weapons-enabled models, targeted strikes. It differentiates itself by combining a deep unmanned-aircraft heritage with a growing multi-domain defense portfolio and strategic acquisitions to broaden capabilities into space tech, counter-UAS, and directed energy. Its goal is to become a broad defense-technology provider that wins large, long-term contracts by offering integrated, autonomous systems across multiple domains.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Monrovia, California

Founded

1971

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • September 8, 2026 brought AeroVironment’s first international LOCUST order above $50 million.
  • Q1 FY2027 revenue hit $480.5 million, funded backlog reached $1.5 billion.
  • P550’s $117 million Army award and JUMP 20’s Italian designation expand franchise demand.

What critics are saying

  • FY2027 capex stays 12%-14% of revenue, keeping free cash flow negative.
  • BlueHalo integration still carries goodwill impairment risk after FY2026’s $241 million charge.
  • Army contracts dominate; any E-HEL or LRR delay in 2027 crushes the backlog story.

What makes AeroVironment unique

  • LOCUST won the U.S. Army’s first directed-energy production contract on September 2, 2026.
  • BlueHalo added space, cyber, and directed-energy depth; ESAero added aerospace engineering in March 2026.
  • P550, JUMP 20, and Switchblade create a stacked portfolio across reconnaissance and strike.

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Benefits

Health, Dental, & Vision

Health Savings Account

401(k) Account

Alternative Work Schedule

Educational and Tuition Assistance Programs

Employee Assistance Program

Sick Leave Donation

Time Off

Travel Assistance

Company Sponsored Events

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

9%

1 year growth

9%

2 year growth

14%
Yahoo Finance
Sep 11th, 2026
AeroVironment posts record Q1 revenue of $480.5M despite SCDE segment weakness

AeroVironment reported record first-quarter revenue of $480.5 million, up 6% year-over-year, with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.4 and total bookings of $0.7 billion. The Autonomous Systems segment generated $346 million, whilst the Space, Cyber and Directed Energy segment contributed $134.5 million, down 21% due to contract terminations and programme wind-downs. Gross profit jumped 31% to $124.6 million, pushing margins to 26% from 21% previously. Adjusted diluted earnings per share nearly doubled to $0.59 from $0.32 last year. Funded backlog increased to $1.5 billion from $1.2 billion. The company maintained full-year revenue guidance of $2.125 billion to $2.225 billion, with adjusted EBITDA forecast between $305 million and $325 million. First-quarter net loss narrowed to $5.1 million from $67.4 million previously.

Yahoo Finance
Sep 11th, 2026
AeroVironment hits $480M Q1 revenue and $1.5B backlog on $465M laser weapon contract

AeroVironment reported record first-quarter revenue of $480 million and a funded backlog of $1.5 billion, driven by strong demand for autonomous systems. The company secured a $465 million production contract for the E-HEL directed energy programme, marking the first such contract in US military history. The firm reaffirmed its fiscal 2027 revenue guidance of $2.125 billion to $2.225 billion, with 86% visibility to the midpoint. Strong performance in autonomous systems stemmed from the P550 selection for the US Army's LRR programme and increased international adoption of the JUMP 20 platform. AeroVironment expects negative free cash flow for fiscal 2027 due to peak capital expenditures for facility expansions across Alabama, New Mexico, Utah and California. The company projects the LRR programme will become a $1 billion franchise over the next few years.

Yahoo Finance
Sep 10th, 2026
AeroVironment shares surge 10% on record $480.5M Q1 revenue

AeroVironment shares surged 10% after the defence technology company reported record fiscal first-quarter revenue of $480.5 million, up 6% year-over-year and $24.5 million above consensus estimates. Adjusted earnings per share of $0.59 significantly exceeded the $0.25 estimate. The Autonomous Systems division drove growth, with sales rising 21% to $346 million. Uncrewed aircraft systems revenue jumped 71% to $120 million, whilst Space, Cyber and Directed Energy sales fell 21% to $134.5 million. Gross margin improved to 26% from 21%, though adjusted EBITDA declined to $53.4 million from $56.6 million. AeroVironment maintained its fiscal 2027 revenue guidance of $2.125 billion to $2.225 billion and adjusted EPS outlook of $3.02 to $3.34, both below consensus.

The Economic Times
Sep 10th, 2026
AeroVironment shares: Why AVAV fell 5% despite earnings beat.

AeroVironment shares: Why AVAV fell 5% despite earnings beat. , ETMarkets.com | Sep 10, 2026, 02:00:27 PM IST AeroVironment earnings: Drone demand drives revenue growth. US defence technology company AeroVironment reported fiscal Q1 2027 revenue of $480.5 million, up 6% year-on-year. The results came as demand for drones and other defence technologies remained firm, although the stock reaction was initially negative. (Source: TradingView; AeroVironment) Revenue rises, but estimates remain mixed. AeroVironment's quarterly revenue increased from $454.7 million a year earlier to $480.5 million. GuruFocus, however, noted that the figure was below its cited analyst estimate of $526.61 million. The company also posted a gross margin of 26%, improving from 21% in the year-ago quarter. TIL Creatives Earnings beat Wall Street expectations. Despite the revenue-estimate mismatch cited by different market sources, AeroVironment's adjusted earnings of 59 cents per share beat Wall Street expectations of 22 cents, according to Barron's. The company had reported adjusted earnings of 32 cents per share in the year-ago quarter, highlighting the improvement in quarterly profitability. TIL Creatives Backlog hits record $1.5 billion. One of the biggest positives from the quarter was AeroVironment's funded backlog of $1.5 billion, up 37% year-on-year. The company also recorded around $700 million in bookings, with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.4, indicating that new orders exceeded revenue recognised during the quarter. Stock slips nearly 5%. AeroVironment shares came under pressure despite the earnings beat. The stock fell 4.99% to $141.36. The muted market response reflects investor concerns around the company's valuation, execution and the broader outlook for defence stocks, even as drone demand remains a key growth driver. ETMarkets.com Full-year outlook maintained. AeroVironment maintained its fiscal 2027 outlook, with management targeting approximately $2.2 billion in sales and around $315 million in EBITDA. The company's record backlog provides visibility for future revenue, while continued demand for autonomous systems, counter-drone technology and other defence products remains an important growth catalyst. TIL Creatives

Yahoo Finance
Sep 10th, 2026
AeroVironment reports Q1 revenue of $480M with record $1.5B funded backlog

AeroVironment reported strong first quarter results for fiscal year 2027, with revenues of $480 million and bookings of $683 million. The company achieved a record-setting funded backlog of $1.5 billion and adjusted EBITDA of nearly $46 million. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Wahid Nawabi said the results met or exceeded expectations across several key financial performance metrics. He attributed the performance to the company's focus on capturing key growth opportunities and its ability to execute with excellence. The earnings call, held on 9 September 2026, was led by Nawabi, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Sean Woodward, and Head of Investor Relations Denise Pacioni.