Engineering Intern at wardstone.space (El Segundo, CA)

wardstone.space· El Segundo, CA·6d ago

Role details

Work type

Onsite

Employment

Full-Time

Job description

Overview

Wardstone is a space defense-tech startup building next-generation systems to protect the United States and its allies from advanced missile threats. We design, build, and test both ground and space-based hardware. We’re looking for engineering interns from top schools who want to work on real world systems from concept to testing.

What You’ll Work On

Depending on your background and interests, you may work on:

Physics-based simulation and modeling (orbital mechanics, intercept dynamics, guidance & control)
Hardware prototyping and testing (mechanical, electrical, propulsion, sensing)
Embedded software, controls, or autonomy
Sensor systems (IR / EO), perception, and tracking
Data analysis from test campaigns
System-level trade studies and design reviews Interns are treated as engineers. Your work will directly with founders and full-time engineers, influence flight hardware, simulations, and participate in field tests.

Who We’re Looking For

Currently pursuing a degree in engineering, physics, or a related technical field
(Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Robotics, Computer Science, Physics)
Demonstrated delivery on previous extracurricular engineering projects
Curious, self-directed, and motivated by real-world impact
MATLAB or Python for modelling and data analytics
US Person or Lawful Permanent Resident status required.

Bonus points for experience with:

Controls, GNC, or orbital mechanics
Embedded systems or hardware bring-up
IR sensors, computer vision, or signal processing
Hands-on lab, shop, or field testing experience

Why work at wardstone.space

Mission-driven: Direct impact on national security and countering hypersonic threats.
Early-stage startup: Opportunity to shape the company’s technology and culture from the ground up.
Engineering focus: Roles span mechanical, electrical, avionics, propulsion, GNC, simulation, and sensing.
Compensation & equity: Competitive salaries ($100k–$160k for engineers) plus equity grants.
Location: El Segundo, CA — a growing aerospace startup hub near LA Air Force Base and Space Force facilities.
Work environment: Likely on-site/hybrid (El Segundo office); YC alumni culture with fast iteration and hands-on testing (e.g., Mojave flight tests).

About wardstone.space

Company Overview

One-liner: Wardstone builds a modular, low-cost interceptor platform for air and missile defense, designed to counter threats from Group 4 UAS to medium-range ballistic missiles.
Entity Type: Private (Seed stage; raised $5M)
Headquarters: El Segundo, California, USA
Founded: 2025
Founders: Sebastian Fischer (CEO) and Tobias Fischer

Core Business

Primary industries: Aerospace & Defense, Missile Defense, Space-Based Interceptors
Target customers: U.S. Department of Defense (Space Force, Missile Defense Agency, Air Force Research Labs), allied nations
Mission or purpose: To out-produce, out-innovate, and out-perform adversaries by building a modular interceptor platform that can be mass-produced, rapidly adapted, and fielded at the pace of evolving threats.

Products & Services

Hailstorm (Ground-Based Interceptor): A right-sized, modular surface-based interceptor demonstrated in the Mojave (Mach 2.5, 40,000 ft). Uses a large particle cloud (1 km diameter) to kinetically neutralize hypersonic and ballistic missiles, reducing cost and sensing requirements.
Space-Based Interceptor Constellation: Satellites equipped with kinetic interceptors designed to counter hypersonic and ballistic missiles from orbit. Part of the “Golden Dome” concept.
Modular Platform Architecture: Interchangeable components allow mission-specific configuration, rapid upgrades, and parallel production across multiple suppliers.

Market Standing

Valuation/Market Cap: Not disclosed
Key Metric: Total Funding — $5M seed round (raised from Nova Threshold, Liquid 2 Ventures, Bow Capital, B5 Capital, Allegis Capital)
Notable Investors/Partners: Y Combinator (fall 2025 cohort), relationships with AFWERX, Space Systems Command, Air Force Research Labs, Navy Joint Special Operations Command
Growth Signals: Accepted into Y Combinator; first prototype (Hailstorm-Ground) successfully flown; letters of support for a $3M SBIR grant; inbound requests for additional use cases; hiring multiple engineering roles.

Competitive Advantages

Modularity: Standardized, interchangeable components decouple production from single bottlenecks, enabling surge manufacturing and supply chain resilience.
Cost advantage: Interceptors are designed to be “right-sized” to the threat, drastically reducing per-unit cost compared to traditional “exquisite” interceptors (e.g., THAAD, GMD).
Unique kill mechanism: Large particle cloud increases probability of intercept without requiring precise hit-to-kill, reducing sensor and actuator costs.
Incremental path: Starting with ground-based interceptors before scaling to space-based systems, allowing technology maturation and customer validation.

Strategic Focus

Near-term: Deliver ground-based interceptors to fill the “missing middle” threat band (Group 4 UAS to MRBMs) and secure SBIR/IRAD contracts.
Medium-term: Deploy space-based interceptors as part of the U.S. “Golden Dome” missile defense architecture.
Continuous improvement: Open architecture to integrate new technologies without redesigning the entire platform.

Sources

Job description

Overview

What You’ll Work On

Why work at wardstone.space

Application questions