Skunkworks Engineer Internship - Summer

Position: Skunk works Engineer Internship - Summer 2026
Skunk works Engineer Internship-Liquid Piston

Location:

Bloomfield, CT (Fully onsite - no remote option)

Employment Type:

Full-time Internship (Summer 2026 or Fall 2026 co-op preferred; flexible start/end dates possible)

Compensation:
Paid

About Liquid Piston:

Liquid Piston is an innovative propulsion technology company reinventing the internal combustion engine through its patented X-Engine architecture and High Efficiency Hybrid Cycle (HEHC). Our compact, powerful, multi-fuel rotary engines deliver 10× higher power density and up to 30% better efficiency than conventional piston engines - while being significantly quieter and lower-vibration.

We serve demanding markets including defense (UAVs, portable power), aerospace (hybrid-electric propulsion, eVTOL/UAS), and emerging commercial applications. After 15+ years of core R&D, the company is now scaling toward production and commercialization - creating high-impact opportunities for bold, fast-moving engineers.

The Skunk works Team:

Our small, high-autonomy Skunk works group operates with Lockheed-style freedom: rapid prototyping, high-risk/high-reward experiments, quick iteration, and minimal bureaucracy. The team tackles moon-shot variants of the X-Engine platform - next-generation fuels (hydrogen, low-cetane, multi-fuel extremes), ultra-high power density demonstrators, novel hybrid integration concepts, and classified DoD / DARPA-inspired fast-track projects. Expect messy benches, late-night dyno runs, 3D-printed parts by breakfast, and direct influence on future engine roadmaps.

Internship Overview:

As a Skunk works Engineer Intern, you will work shoulder-to-shoulder with senior engineers and company founders on bleeding-edge rotary engine concepts that conventional automotive/aerospace companies would never touch. This is not a documentation-heavy or narrowly scoped internship, it's hands-on, cross-disciplinary, and fast-paced. Ideal for students who thrive in ambiguous, high-ownership environments and want real ownership of prototype hardware.

Key Responsibilities:

* Design, assemble, and test rapid prototypes of novel X-Engine sub-systems, combustors, seals, or hybrid integration components

* Perform hands-on fabrication using in-house machine shop, additive manufacturing (metal + polymer), and advanced assembly techniques

* Run experiments on single-cylinder research engines, modified multi-cylinder demonstrators, or subscale Skunk works test articles

* Collect and analyze high-speed data (pressure traces, high-speed video, emissions, vibration) to validate bold design choices

* Iterate designs weekly - CAD → print/machine → test → learn → repeat

* Support classified / customer-funded fast-track projects (U.S. citizenship or permanent residency often required for certain tasks)

* Collaborate across mechanical, thermal, combustion, controls, and materials boundaries

* Document key findings in concise memos / one-pagers to influence long-term architecture decisions

Qualifications (Required):

* Pursuing B.S., M.S. or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, or closely related field (rising junior or above preferred)

* Demonstrated hands-on prototyping experience ( Formula SAE, personal projects, research labs, rocketry, robotics, etc.)

* Strong CAD skills (Solid Works, Fusion 360, or similar)

* Comfortable in a machine shop / hands-on lab environment (mill, lathe, 3D printing, basic welding helpful but not required)

* U.S. person status (citizen or permanent resident) - many Skunk works activities involve defense-related hardware

* High tolerance for ambiguity + bias toward action

Preferred / Bonus

Experience:

* Prior work with internal combustion engines, rotaries, or high-performance power systems

* Exposure to additive manufacturing (especially metal DMLS / binder jetting)

* Combustion, thermodynamics, or high-speed data acquisition experience

* Experience with rapid controls prototyping (dSPACE, Speedgoat, Arduino/RPi for quick closed-loop demos)

* Aerospace/defense project background (UAVs, hybrid propulsion, DARPA-style challenges)

* Personal projects involving extreme environments, fuels, or unconventional engines

What You Will Gain:

* Direct mentorship from company founders and principal engineers

* Ownership of real prototype hardware that could shape the next X-Engine family

* Exposure to classified / cutting-edge DoD and aerospace customers

* Broad skill ramp across design, fabrication, testing, data analysis, and systems thinking

* Very strong potential pathway to full-time role post-graduation for top performers

* The chance to say: "I built that crazy engine variant in the Skunk works bay