Summer 2026
Intern
2D Material Fabrication and Characterization
Posted on 4/24/2026
AeroVironment
1,001-5,000 employees
Small UAVs for reconnaissance and strike
No salary listed
No H1B Sponsorship
Dayton, OH, USA
In Person
On-site at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH; U.S. citizenship required per ITAR/EAR.
US Citizenship Required
Bachelor's
 AI & Machine Learning (1) |
|---|
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- Undergraduate student majoring in electronics, materials engineering, or physics with experience in thin film material deposition and materials characterization
- U.S. Citizenship is required due to ITAR compliance; position may require qualification as a U.S. person under ITAR and EAR definitions
- Perform 2D material sample fabrication including substrate preparation, mechanical exfoliation, and optical contrast characterization
- Perform characterization including Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy for various ferroic 2D materials
- A background in condensed matter physics, materials science and engineering is preferred
- Experience with atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and photoluminescence characterization is a plus
AeroVironment designs and produces small, unmanned aerial systems for military use. Its products include hand-launched, battery-powered drones such as the Raven, Puma, and Wasp that provide soldiers with battlefield reconnaissance and real-time intelligence. It also develops loitering munitions like the Switchblade, a portable weapon that can be launched from a tube to locate and engage targets with precision. The company differentiates itself through a long heritage in lightweight, efficient flight (originating from human-powered aircraft) and a track record of advancing autonomous and remotely operated systems, aided by strategic acquisitions of Arcturus UAV and Telerob. Its goal is to equip soldiers with mobile, capable, and precise unmanned systems that expand situational awareness and kill-chain options without excessive collateral damage.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Monrovia, California
Founded
1971
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- AV's August 24, 2026 Moorpark campus consolidates five Southern California sites for scale.
- The Army’s $990 million LUS IDIQ, awarded in 2024, keeps orders flowing through 2029.
- GrandSKY adopted AV_Halo COMMAND for 11,000-square-mile BVLOS operations on August 12, 2026.
What critics are saying
- The March 10, 2026 SCAR termination triggered a $151.3 million goodwill impairment.
- Pomerantz sued AV on July 5, 2026, in Eastern District of Virginia.
- A second SCAR-style cancellation craters AV's space ambitions and valuation.
What makes AeroVironment unique
- Switchblade 600 anchors AV’s man-portable precision strike leadership across Army and allied buyers.
- NASA JPL tapped AV on August 27, 2026, to co-build three Mars helicopters.
- AV Eagle in Greece gives AV local European manufacturing with Eyeonix SA.
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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
6 month growth
↑ 9%1 year growth
↑ 9%2 year growth
↑ 14%NASA is developing the SkyFall mission, which will send three helicopters to Mars as early as late 2028. The spacecraft will launch with NASA's SR-1 Freedom nuclear electric propulsion demonstration, estimated to cost $2.1 billion excluding the helicopters. SkyFall builds on Ingenuity, which completed 72 flights before crashing in 2024. The new helicopters will be heavier at 2.5 kilograms and carry scientific instruments including ground-penetrating radar to search for subsurface ice. Unlike Ingenuity, which relied on a rover for communications, SkyFall's helicopters will separate from SR-1 Freedom on approach to Mars and land autonomously. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is partnering with AeroVironment to design the vehicles. The mission represents NASA's shift towards aerial exploration, as the agency currently has no firm plans for new Mars landers or rovers.
AV awarded contract for three autonomous helicopters in support of NASA's SkyFall mission to Mars. August 27, 2026 at 12:00 PM EDT AV partnering with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to unlock new research capabilities above and below the Martian surface ahead of a planned 2028 launch. ARLINGTON, Va.-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Aug. 27, 2026- AeroVironment, Inc. ("AV"), a global defense technology leader, today announced that its MacCready Works advanced solutions team has been awarded a contract for the co-design and co-manufacture of three Mars helicopters for NASA's SkyFall mission with the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), taking the project from future concept to a formally funded Mars science mission and a path toward launch in late 2028. AV's MacCready Works will design and develop three Mars helicopters for NASA's SkyFall mission, supporting a planned launch in late 2028. (Photo/AV) SkyFall is the first mission to fly a team of three instrument-carrying helicopters on Mars, demonstrating a fully integrated system capable of autonomous atmospheric entry and powered descent. AV and JPL are building on their experience as co-developers of NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, which completed 72 historic flights at Jezero Crater. Together, the teams are evolving Ingenuity-derived designs into SkyFall: an active NASA mission under the Science Mission Directorate, optimized to deliver high-value science for the Mars Exploration Program. "With Ingenuity, AV and JPL proved we could fly on Mars. Now, with SkyFall, we're taking AV's high-volume uncrewed systems mindset into planetary exploration and showing that Mars helicopters can be built as a repeatable product line, not a one-off delivery," said Jeff Rodrian, Head of MacCready Works, AV's advanced research and development organization. "It's also a powerful example of public-private partnership; AV and JPL building on Ingenuity's success to create a helicopter platform that NASA can apply to many different science missions over multiple launch windows." AV is leading the design and production of key elements of the SkyFall helicopters, including rotor systems, airframes, structures, avionics integration, and accommodation for multiple science payloads. JPL is leading the design and development of the power system, electronics, algorithms and software. The helicopters will carry a JPL-designed ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to look below the Martian surface, delivering new insight into shallow subsurface ice, central to both Mars science and future human exploration. New to this mission is a new "SkyFall maneuver." This technique releases the three helicopters directly from the carrier spacecraft into the Martian atmosphere, where they separate, deploy, descend, and land under their own power. By eliminating the need for a single-use lander stage or a host rover (as Ingenuity required with Perseverance), this approach significantly reduces the technical and financial risk of getting to the Martian surface. JPL's GPR instruments carried by the helicopters are designed to map subsurface ice at fine spatial resolution, enabling more precise assessment of where water ice is located and implications for science and future human exploration. In addition, each aircraft will host instruments that will provide data on the Martian atmosphere, dust particle transport, and other key environmental processes. "Just like here on Earth, Mars helicopters can cover distance quickly and can go places that might be impossible to reach by ground," said Will Pomerantz, Head of Space Ventures at AV. "The three SkyFall helicopters are going to show us parts of Mars we've never seen before and return mountains of data for scientists to pour over. The science community may guide these helicopters to places where the ground penetrating radar can map out the precise location of ice below the Martian surface." NASA currently plans a launch window in November 2028, followed by a cruise to Mars, with arrival timing tuned to local time, dust conditions, and power needs. AeroVironment ("AV") (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The Company develops and deploys autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities - built to meet the mission needs of today's warfighter and tomorrow's conflicts. At the core of these technologies lies AV_Halo(TM), a modular, mission-ready suite of AI-powered software tools that empowers warfighters and enables full-battlefield dominance: detect, decide, deliver. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future-defining capabilities at speed, scale, and operational relevance. For more information, visit www.avinc.com. Safe Harbor Statement Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, its ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new ones; regulatory changes; competitor activities; market growth; product development challenges; and general economic conditions. For a more detailed discussion of these risks, please refer to AeroVironment's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AeroVironment, Inc. undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events. Media Contact: BJ Koubaroulis [email protected] 703.718.4060 Investor Contact: Denise Pacioni [email protected] 805.795.4108
AeroVironment secured a $51 million order from the U.S. Army for additional Switchblade 600 Block 2 systems. The contract includes Block 1 units for an allied nation through a Foreign Military Sale. The deal forms part of a five-year, $990 million Army contract for Lethal Unmanned Systems that started in 2024. The Switchblade 600 Block 2 is an upgraded loitering munition designed to strike armoured targets, featuring enhanced sensors, AI-powered targeting, and improved navigation for GPS-denied environments. AeroVironment is investing $100 million in a new 400,000-square-foot California campus to consolidate operations and increase production capacity. The company will report first-quarter results on 9 September, with analysts expecting $459 million in revenue. The stock traded nearly 1% higher overnight.
AV to invest $100 million in new unified campus in Southern California. August 24, 2026 at 1:00 PM EDT Moorpark Campus Will Bring Five Southern California Locations Together And Positions AV For Its Next Era of Growth ARLINGTON, Va.-(BUSINESS WIRE)-Aug. 24, 2026- AeroVironment, Inc. ("AV") (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain defense technologies, today announced a planned $100 million investment in a unified company-owned campus on approximately 20 acres in Moorpark, California. The campus will bring teams and capabilities from five leased Southern California locations together to strengthen collaboration across research, engineering, design, prototyping, and production. Conceptual rendering of AV's planned Moorpark campus, which will include renovation of an existing facility and construction of additional production space. (Conceptual rendering courtesy of AV) "This infrastructure investment reaffirms AV's enduring commitment to California, where the company was founded more than five decades ago," said Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer at AV. "We are reinvesting in labs, lines and people," said Nawabi. "The campus will be designed around how our teams work, with modern, flexible spaces that support focused work, technical collaboration and future growth." Mission Velocity, Future Capacity The campus will be designed to provide flexibility to accommodate future technologies and evolving mission requirements. "This is about how fast we can move from an idea to getting a system in the hands of the warfighter, and how much more capability we can deliver," said Rob Smith, Chief Operating Officer at AV. "Creating a unified campus will reduce the friction of operating across multiple locations and provide a connected environment designed for speed, collaboration and growth." Strengthening AV's California Presence Founded in Southern California, AV is deepening its roots in the state through long-term ownership of the Moorpark campus. Research and development, engineering, design and production will remain core elements in California operations. The Moorpark investment complements AV's broader national manufacturing network, strengthening resilient capacity across the company to meet growing demand from U.S. and allied customers. Timeline and Next Steps AV closed on the primary property during its fiscal second quarter. Renovation and construction activities are expected to begin in fiscal 2028, with employee transitions occurring in phases and the campus expected to be fully operational in 2029. The investment is part of AV's planned capital expenditures within its previously issued fiscal 2027 guidance. AeroVironment ("AV") (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The Company develops and deploys autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities - built to meet the mission needs of today's warfighter and tomorrow's conflicts. At the core of these technologies lies AV_Halo(TM), a modular, mission-ready suite of AI-powered software tools that empowers warfighters and enables full-battlefield dominance: detect, decide, deliver. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future-defining capabilities at speed, scale, and operational relevance. For more information, visit www.avinc.com. Safe Harbor Statement Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, its ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new ones; regulatory changes; competitor activities; market growth; product development challenges; and general economic conditions. For a more detailed discussion of these risks, please refer to AeroVironment's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AeroVironment, Inc. undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events. Media Contact: Deb Richardson [email protected] 703.718.4060 Investor Contact: Denise Pacioni [email protected] 805.795.4108
AV to invest $100 million in new unified campus in Southern California. Moorpark Campus Will Bring Five Southern California Locations Together And Positions AV For Its Next Era of Growth Conceptual rendering of AV's planned Moorpark campus, which will include renovation of an existing facility and construction of additional production space. (Conceptual rendering courtesy of AV) ARLINGTON, Va.-(BUSINESS WIRE)-AeroVironment, Inc. ("AV") (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain defense technologies, today announced a planned $100 million investment in a unified company-owned campus on approximately 20 acres in Moorpark, California. The campus will bring teams and capabilities from five leased Southern California locations together to strengthen collaboration across research, engineering, design, prototyping, and production. The campus will bring teams and capabilities from five leased Southern California locations together to strengthen collaboration across research, engineering, design, prototyping, and production. Share "This infrastructure investment reaffirms AV's enduring commitment to California, where the company was founded more than five decades ago," said Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer at AV. "We are reinvesting in labs, lines and people," said Nawabi. "The campus will be designed around how our teams work, with modern, flexible spaces that support focused work, technical collaboration and future growth." Mission Velocity, Future Capacity The campus will be designed to provide flexibility to accommodate future technologies and evolving mission requirements. "This is about how fast we can move from an idea to getting a system in the hands of the warfighter, and how much more capability we can deliver," said Rob Smith, Chief Operating Officer at AV. "Creating a unified campus will reduce the friction of operating across multiple locations and provide a connected environment designed for speed, collaboration and growth." Strengthening AV's California Presence Founded in Southern California, AV is deepening its roots in the state through long-term ownership of the Moorpark campus. Research and development, engineering, design and production will remain core elements in California operations. The Moorpark investment complements AV's broader national manufacturing network, strengthening resilient capacity across the company to meet growing demand from U.S. and allied customers. Timeline and Next Steps AV closed on the primary property during its fiscal second quarter. Renovation and construction activities are expected to begin in fiscal 2028, with employee transitions occurring in phases and the campus expected to be fully operational in 2029. The investment is part of AV's planned capital expenditures within its previously issued fiscal 2027 guidance. AeroVironment ("AV") (NASDAQ: AVAV) is a defense technology leader delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The Company develops and deploys autonomous systems, loitering munitions, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities - built to meet the mission needs of today's warfighter and tomorrow's conflicts. At the core of these technologies lies AV_Halo(TM), a modular, mission-ready suite of AI-powered software tools that empowers warfighters and enables full-battlefield dominance: detect, decide, deliver. With a national manufacturing footprint and a deep innovation pipeline, AV delivers proven systems and future-defining capabilities at speed, scale, and operational relevance. For more information, visit www.avinc.com. Safe Harbor Statement Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, its ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain new ones; regulatory changes; competitor activities; market growth; product development challenges; and general economic conditions. For a more detailed discussion of these risks, please refer to AeroVironment's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Business Wire, Inc. undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events. Contacts. Media Contact: Deb Richardson [email protected] 703.718.4060 Investor Contact: Denise Pacioni [email protected] 805.795.4108 More News From AeroVironment, Inc. ATHENS, Greece-( BUSINESS WIRE )-AeroVironment, Inc. ("AV") (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in all-domain defense technologies, today announced it will establish an industrial presence in Greece through AV Eagle, a joint-venture with Athens-based Eyeonix SA, following the completion of a definitive shareholders agreement and securing Foreign Direct Investment approval from the Hellenic Republic Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The joint venture builds on more than a decade of cooperation between AV... ARLINGTON, Va.-( BUSINESS WIRE )-AeroVironment, Inc. ("AV") (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced that it has appointed Michael D. Ruppert to its Board of Directors, effective August 5, 2026. Mr. Ruppert brings more than 25 years of financial, strategic and corporate development experience in the aerospace and defense sector to AV. He has served as EVP and Chief Financial Officer of ManTech since 2023 where he leads ManTech's financial planning and analysis, accounting, treasury, cash management, and... ARLINGTON, Va.-( BUSINESS WIRE )-AeroVironment Announces Planned Retirement of Stephen F. Page from Board of Directors... AeroVironment, Inc. NASDAQ:AVAV Release Versions Media Contact: Deb Richardson [email protected] 703.718.4060 Investor Contact: Denise Pacioni [email protected] 805.795.4108