Mechanical Engineering Internship - Space, Lausanne

Mechanical Engineering Internship - Space Location: Lausanne, Switzerland– Internship in Mechanical Engineering. DPhi Space is a Swiss startup building the intelligence infrastructure in space by turning satellites into inference servers and connecting space to the cloud on Earth. The team launched a first demonstrator into space in March 2025, with a second launch planned for March 2026 and an ongoing yearly launch cycle toward 2027.

Your Responsibilities

Support the design of spacecraft structures and subcomponents to meet mission and payload requirements.

Contribute to and take ownership of CAD modelling, detailed design and drafting (e.g., machined parts, brackets, panels, assemblies) using SolidWorks.

Iterate on multiple mechanical concepts for the payload bay and related structures, performing design trade-offs (stiffness, mass, manufacturability, integration, thermal interfaces, etc.).

Proactively research new design approaches, techniques and components relevant to structures and payload interfaces, and translate findings into concrete design updates or concise summaries.

Provide support in assembly, integration, and testing of prototypes, systems, and subsystems.

Run simulations (e.g., structural checks, mass properties, envelopes) and prepare data to support higher‑fidelity analyses.

Assist in preparing manufacturing packages (drawings, BOMs, machining notes) and interact with suppliers when needed.

The exact scope will depend on your skills and internship duration (nominal 3–12 months), encompassing a mix of design, research, and hands‑on lab work.

What Will Make You Successful

Ongoing or recently graduated Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field from a university or HES/ES.

Solid fundamentals in mechanics of materials, structural design and/or thermals.

Strong practical skills in CAD (ideally SolidWorks): ability to build clean, parametric parts and assemblies efficiently.

Interest in spacecraft design techniques and the space industry.

Comfortable working in a small, fast‑moving team and taking ownership of tasks.

Problem‑solving mindset and ability to work with evolving constraints and partial information.

Hands‑on experience in handling and assembling hardware is an asset.

Language: Fluency in English is a must (B2+, no certificate needed); French is an asset.

Familiarity with FEM/FEA tools (Ansys or similar) is a plus.

Previous experience (projects, student teams, internships) in aerospace, robotics, or hardware development is a strong plus, but not strictly required.

What We Offer

Flexible working hours in a dynamic, friendly, innovative and multicultural environment.

Startup environment– a flexible and innovative work culture.

Fast design cycles– design, build, test, and improve in short cycles.

Option to join the company as a full‑time employee after the internship.

DPhi Space supports equal opportunities employment.

Activity Details Variable start dates. Variable internship duration, nominally six months. Activity rate of 100% on‑site.

Ready to Apply? Join our team and help build the intelligence infrastructure in space.

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