--- title: '2027 Intern Program at Fortastra Corporation' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/2027-intern-program-fortastra-corporation-torrance-4t4q453epwj2' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-02' --- # 2027 Intern Program at Fortastra Corporation - **Company:** Fortastra Corporation - **Location:** Torrance, CA - **Posted:** 2026-10-27 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-02 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/fortastracorporation/jobs/4450854009 ## Job description Company Overview Fortastra designs and delivers resilient, high-performance spacecraft that safeguard critical orbital assets and ensure freedom of action in space. We integrate advanced autonomy, sensing, and control into systems engineered for reliability, speed, and scale. Our culture values simplicity, accountability, and disciplined execution. We expect leaders to think systemically, act decisively, and take ownership of mission outcomes. Aggressive innovation. Disciplined execution. Strength among the stars. ## Team/Department You will support Fortastra's Engineering Division, responsible for the design, development, and test of flight systems across our autonomous spacecraft portfolio. ## The Role Fortastra is seeking Summer Interns in various engineering and technical disciplines to join our team for the summer (June 14th to August 20th, 2027). This is an opportunity to work alongside experienced engineers on real technical challenges supporting the development of autonomous spacecraft. Each intern will be paired with a dedicated engineering mentor who will provide technical guidance, meaningful project assignments, and regular feedback throughout the summer. We are seeking students with interests or experience in the following disciplines: - Guidance, Navigation, and Control - Propulsion and Thermal - Flight Software - Mission Management and Planning - Robotics and Autonomy - Mechanical Engineering You can learn more [here](https://youtu.be/VWpx3HBHjvk) from our great interns from 20026! ## Key Responsibilities - Contribute to the design, development, integration, and testing of spacecraft systems and technologies. - Support engineering analysis, modeling, simulation, software development, or hardware testing within your assigned discipline. - Work alongside experienced engineers to solve technical challenges and evaluate potential solutions. - Document technical work, test results, and engineering findings. - Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams and participate in technical discussions and design reviews. - Take ownership of assigned projects and present results, technical findings, and lessons learned at the conclusion of the internship. ## Qualifications and Skills - Currently pursuing a bachelor's or graduate degree in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or a related technical field at an accredited college or university. - Demonstrated interest or experience in at least one of the engineering disciplines listed above. - Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills. - Experience with relevant engineering tools, programming languages, laboratory work, or hands-on technical projects. - Ability to work independently, collaborate with others, and learn quickly in a fast-paced engineering environment. ## Requirements - Available to work on-site five days per week in Torrance, CA, throughout the internship period. - U.S. citizenship required. ## Why Fortastra We are a small, high-impact team building the next generation of autonomous orbital control systems for national security space. At Fortastra, leaders own outcomes from first principles through flight and directly shape the future of resilient, mission-critical spacecraft autonomy. ## FORTASTRA TALENT & CULTURE PRINCIPLES Values Driven by First Principles We value engineers and operators who prioritize sound judgment, candor, technical rigor, bias for action, and intellectual honesty over corporate consensus. We care about the caliber of the system you build and the speed at which you solve problems. Talent Density Over Headcount A high-performing startup is built on dense talent, not organizational bloat. A single exceptional engineer designs, tests, and delivers faster than a bloated committee. We intentionally maintain a lean, elite engineering crew where every contributor directly moves the needle on the mission. High Autonomy, High Ownership We hire domain experts to execute, not to micromanage them. You own your systems end-to-end, from initial architecture and hardware design to testing and deployment. With absolute ownership comes the responsibility to deliver mission critical reliability. Mission Context Over Bureaucracy The best execution happens when teams are provided clear technical objectives, constraints, and operational context, rather than rigid top-down policies. We strip away red tape so builders can iterate, make decisions, and push hardware and flight software forward rapidly. Disciplined Speed & Flight Rigor We move fast because we test often and kill artificial bottlenecks, not because we cut corners. Rapid iteration on the test stand and in simulation is how we learn; an uncompromising flight-readiness bar is how we earn trust. Precision without friction, speed without recklessness. Direct Impact, Not Career Bureaucracy You don’t come to Fortastra to climb a corporate ladder or manage slide decks; you come to build complex, flight-ready systems from day one. Growth here is organic, driven by the magnitude of technical challenges you solve and the trust you build across the team. ## Compensation This role pays $25/hour as a non-exempt, hourly employee. Holidays and Overtime are paid in accordance with State and Federal Law. Recruiters & Agencies: Fortastra does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from recruiters, agencies, or third parties. Any candidate submitted without a signed agreement and prior written authorization from Fortastra will not be subject to any fee, and no relationship is implied. Please do not contact Fortastra employees, hiring managers, or recruiting team directly. ## About Fortastra Corporation ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Fortastra is building intelligent, maneuverable spacecraft designed to protect critical on-orbit infrastructure for government, allied, and commercial customers. - **Entity Type**: Private (Seed/Early Stage) - **Headquarters**: Torrance, California, USA - **Founded**: 2025 - **Founders**: Mike Smayda (CEO) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Aerospace & Defense, Space Security - **Target customers**: U.S. Government (Space Force, DoD), allied and partner nations, commercial satellite operators - **Mission or purpose statement**: To build the systems that keep space safe by developing spacecraft that maneuver, assess, and take action to protect the space systems the world depends on. ## Products & Services - **Watchdog Satellite Line**: A planned family of maneuverable, autonomous satellites designed to act as "bodyguards" for high-value space assets. Long-term goal includes in-house satellite bus production. - **Stuntman Test Rig**: A ground-based robotic arm test system used to practice close-in maneuvering, refine software, and validate autonomy suites before orbital deployment. - **Satellite-as-a-Service (Saa S) Model**: Planned offering for allied and partner nations for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, similar to company-owned, company-operated ISR platforms in the air domain. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (early-stage private company) - **Key Metric**: 16 employees as of mid-2026; first two spacecraft scheduled for launch on SpaceX Transporter-18 rideshare in late 2026 - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly disclosed; CEO Mike Smayda previously co-founded Hermeus (hypersonic aircraft startup) and spent five years at SpaceX - **Growth Signals**: Rapidly scaling from founding in 2025 to 16 employees and two spacecraft ready for launch within ~18 months; building out 4,000 sq. ft. workspace; actively hiring across engineering and operations ## Competitive Advantages - **First-mover in active space defense**: Unlike traditional satellites designed for observation or communication, Fortastra’s architecture is purpose-built for maneuver, threat assessment, and active protection. - **Founder pedigree**: CEO Mike Smayda brings deep experience from SpaceX (large-scale systems, rapid iteration) and Hermeus (government contracting, scaling nimble operations). - **Multi-orbit strategy**: Long-term vision to provide zone defense across multiple orbits, not just point defense, addressing a growing gap as space becomes congested and contested. - **Focus on autonomy**: Developing sophisticated software and GN&C systems to enable autonomous close-in maneuvering and threat response. ## Strategic Focus - **Near-term**: Execute first orbital test launch on SpaceX Transporter-18 (late 2026); burn down technical risk on Watchdog satellite platform. - **Mid-term**: Transition from sourced satellite buses to in-house production; expand satellite-as-a-service offerings for allied nations and commercial customers. - **Long-term**: Become the premier provider of on-orbit security for critical space infrastructure including future fuel depots, pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs, and military assets. ## Why Work Here - **Mission-driven work**: Directly contribute to protecting the space systems that global society depends on, at a company that values action, rigor, and solving hard problems. - **Early-stage equity**: Employees receive early-stage equity, sharing in the company’s growth from the ground up. - **Comprehensive benefits**: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision for employees and their families; unlimited and flexible PTO. - **Performance-focused culture**: Described as a performance-focused, people-first culture that invests in well-being so employees can focus on building spacecraft that matter. - **Hands-on impact**: With only 16 people, employees have significant ownership and the chance to shape both the technology and the company’s trajectory. - **Location**: Based in Torrance, CA (Southern California), with a dedicated workshop and test facilities. - **ITAR requirements**: Many roles require U.S. citizenship or U.S. person status as defined by ITAR. ## Sources 1. [fortastra.com](https://www.fortastra.com/) 2. [fortastra.com/careers](https://www.fortastra.com/careers) 3. [Aviation Week](https://aviationweek.com/space/satellites/debrief-startup-preparing-spaces-neighborhood-watch-era) 4. [Greenhouse Jobs](https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/fortastracorporation/jobs/4052867009) 5. [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/2628142D:US) ## Other roles at Fortastra Corporation - [Sr. Ground Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-ground-software-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-kbs4qgsyrmbq) — Torrance, CA - [Sr. Thermal & Propulsion Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-thermal-propulsion-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-423jeqmkwgjm) — Torrance, CA - [Sr. Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-mechanical-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-qqj6tz8kthj2) — Torrance, CA - [Sr. Avionics Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-avionics-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-8xp84rd0ehqx) — Torrance, CA - [Sr. RF Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-rf-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-r06rv15q5kv7) — Torrance, CA - [Mechanical Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineer-ii-fortastra-corporation-torrance-dkskkds927a8) — Torrance, CA - [Technical Recruiter](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-recruiter-fortastra-corporation-torrance-nc0618vn6sx9) — Torrance, CA - [Sr. Autonomy Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-autonomy-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-c4ca9cgeycr8) — Torrance, CA - [Head of Flight Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-flight-software-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-sqb7wjw0pvgk) — Torrance, CA - [Sr. Perception Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-perception-engineer-fortastra-corporation-torrance-bvsrn4rbf589) — Torrance, CA