---
title: 'Engineering Intern at wardstone.space'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/engineering-intern-wardstone-space-el-segundo-rdcvr3c95qf3'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-05'
---

# Engineering Intern at wardstone.space

- **Company:** wardstone.space
- **Location:** El Segundo, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-07-13
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-05
- **Apply:** https://jobs.gem.com/wardstone-space/am9icG9zdDop-H0vnd48Rb4_OKiMST5z

## 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

## 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.

## Why Work Here
- **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).

## Sources
1. [wardstone.space](https://wardstone.space/)
2. [wardstone.space/careers](https://wardstone.space/careers)
3. [wardstone.space/ourstory](https://wardstone.space/ourstory)
4. [spacenews.com](https://spacenews.com/startup-bets-on-new-approach-to-space-based-missile-defense/)
5. [ycombinator.com](https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/wardstone)

## Other roles at wardstone.space

- [RF Sensing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/rf-sensing-engineer-wardstone-space-el-segundo-sn8m2hqgqmy2) — El Segundo, CA
- [Business Development Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/business-development-intern-wardstone-space-el-segundo-62ac1psa2yb8) — El Segundo, CA
- [Electrical Engineer - Avionics](https://feeny.ai/job/electrical-engineer-avionics-wardstone-space-el-segundo-k8h27tze6sg3) — El Segundo, CA
- [Simulation and Modeling Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/simulation-and-modeling-engineer-wardstone-space-el-segundo-7j963gyyqhar) — El Segundo, CA
- [Guidance, Navigation, and Controls Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/guidance-navigation-and-controls-engineer-wardstone-space-el-segundo-af4nyczss525) — El Segundo, CA
- [Propulsion Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-engineer-wardstone-space-el-segundo-5ez4q6jh0mr1) — El Segundo, CA
- [Mechanical and Structural Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-and-structural-engineer-wardstone-space-el-segundo-wbe6s5wqvcn0) — El Segundo, CA
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