Each summer, Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, offers internship opportunities for students looking to gain real-world experience in the aerospace industry. Aurora interns join project teams working to solve challenging problems and create the next generation of aircraft.
Each intern is paired with a mentor to provide guidance on work assignments, skill development, and Aurora culture. Interns also take part in various company events including lunch and learn sessions, facility tours, and team building activities.
This year, more than 40 students are participating in Aurora’s internship program, gaining hands-on experience while supporting the company’s critical programs. Students filled a variety of roles across manufacturing, engineering, administration, and more. Meet five Aurora interns below and learn more about their experience in the program.
Tabytha Smith
Senior, Simmons University
Software Engineering Intern
Why did you decide to accept an internship with Aurora?
Aurora is a fast-paced, innovative, and cutting-edge company, so I knew that an internship here would be unlike anywhere else. During the interview process, I was told that Aurora interns contribute to programs by performing meaningful work. Other companies could not make this same promise. Aurora offered a place to learn and grow while making an impact.
What is your favorite part of the job?
No day is boring! Throughout the summer, I have consistently learned new things and more efficient ways to accomplish a task or goal. This has led me to become a stronger programmer in a very short period of time.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your intern experience?
I have been given a lot of autonomy during my internship which has forced me to get out of my comfort zone many times. In doing so, I have learned that I am far more capable than I think I am which is an awesome life lesson that I will take with me in the future.
Regina Familiar Avalos
Senior, University of Maryland
Talent Acquisition Intern
If you had to pick three words to describe the culture at Aurora, what would they be and why?
Three words to describe the culture at Aurora are welcoming, accepting, and supporting. In the two summers that I have been at Aurora, I have noticed that every new employee is treated with kindness and accepted as part of the team right away. I, personally, have always felt like I can be myself and as if everyone is rooting for my success.
Why did you decide to accept an internship with Aurora?
I accepted an internship with Aurora because I have always been interested in the aerospace industry. Being an intern at Aurora has been a way for me to connect my passion for human resources with my love of aerospace and aeronautics.
What advice do you have for future Aurora interns?
If you can, aim to contribute to many different projects and areas. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people and ask if you can help with anything, even if they’re in a different area than you. As an intern, I would encourage others to gain as much exposure as they can and to learn as much as they can. I have always enjoyed reaching out to people from all areas and hearing about their job experiences and responsibilities.
Michael Smith
Senior, Mississippi State University
Manufacturing Engineering Intern
Can you think of a time when your team challenged you or helped you improve?
When I started work on our manufacturing program for Boeing MQ-25, I was challenged to learn the program’s build requirements at an expedited rate in order to provide support for the second shift of article builds. This experience improved my understanding of Aurora’s manufacturing processes and capabilities at our Mississippi facility and strengthened my relationship with Aurora’s layup technicians and Boeing’s materials and processes group members.
Why did you decide to accept an internship with Aurora?
I accepted Aurora’s offer for two basic reasons. First and foremost, I felt welcomed and stress-free during the interview process, telling me that Aurora would be a terrific organization to join. I worked with aerospace composites before joining Aurora, so I have a basic knowledge of aerospace production and assembly as a member of Mississippi State University’s Xipiter Unmanned Aircraft System design team. I felt that joining Aurora would allow me to increase my knowledge and discover more about the various processes necessary for an aircraft’s development.
What advice do you have for future Aurora interns?
Grow your network! Aurora does an excellent job at hiring professionals with a wealth of knowledge and experience. I would recommend researching the different organizations within the company and reaching out to people whose work interests you.
Sharmi Shah
Senior, MIT
Robotics Engineering Intern
What is your favorite part of the job?
I’ve really enjoyed coming into the office and getting to know the intern class. Not only that, but the people at Aurora are some of the sweetest and most talented individuals I’ve met. It’s been great to learn and grow from all of them!
If you had to pick three words to describe the culture at Aurora, what would they be and why?
Collaborative: I do my best work when I get to share thoughts and problems with other people. There are a few interns on my project, so it’s been refreshing and enjoyable to collaborate with them and with my supervisor.
Innovative: There are so many interesting projects from autonomy to the production and operation of aircraft that Aurora is working on. It’s neat to be a part of projects that are actively advancing the future of aircraft.
Casual: I feel comfortable reaching out to other employees or managers to ask them questions. It leads to more relaxed interactions between interns and full-time employees and serves for a better experience overall.
What advice do you have for future Aurora interns?
If you’re interested in a particular topic, ask around and reach out to people who are experts in that topic. Everyone is very nice and more than happy to spend some time to talk with you. Furthermore, if you find another project interesting, ask if they need an extra set of hands. Generally, Aurora will let you move around or join another project – you just have to ask!
Peyton Webber
Senior, West Virginia University
Manufacturing Engineer Intern
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your intern experience?
One of my biggest takeaways is that watching and listening is an okay way to learn, but the best way to learn is to help out, get your hands dirty, and ask questions.
If you had to pick three words to describe the culture at Aurora, what would they be and why?
Safe: Aurora cares about safety more than anything else.
Collaborative: Every day is a new chance to work with someone, whether it is someone you have worked with before or someone new.
Potential: Even though Aurora has grown so much since I started, I still see and hear so many ways to potentially grow and expand.
What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part has been working at a place where everyone has so much knowledge and experience to offer, and they are so excited to share their wealth of knowledge with us.
Learn more about our internships on our careers site here.
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