---
title: 'Mechanical Engineering Intern/Co-Op [Propulsion] at Odys Aviation'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-engineering-intern-co-op-propulsion-odys-aviation-long-beach-89vsba1eprcc'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-06'
---

# Mechanical Engineering Intern/Co-Op [Propulsion] at Odys Aviation

- **Company:** Odys Aviation
- **Location:** Long Beach, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-08-11
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/odys-aviation/8f5e460a-98a4-4fd8-b880-d22071faa29f

## Job description

## ABOUT ODYS

Our mission at Odys is simple - we build safe, sustainable aircraft to cut travel time in half on the world's busiest corridors. Our flagship aircraft Alta enables travelers to skip the big-airport hassle https://youtu.be/fyI4XMsF2rM by using city helipads and local airports to connect cities less than 1,000 miles apart (approx 40% of flights). And on average cut CO2 by 76% on tens of billions of flight miles globally.

To get there, we start with our UAV called Laila for commercial logistics, medical transport, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and defense missions. We’re deploying aircraft with launch partners (Fiji Airways https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-09-20/fiji-airways-plans-connect-pacific-islands-laila-vtol, Honeywell https://aerospace.honeywell.com/us/en/about-us/press-release/2024/07/honeywell-odys-aviation-to-collaborate-on-uncrewed-aircraft-operations-in-the-middle-east-and-pacific, Aramex https://evtolinsights.com/2024/01/odys-aviation-aramex-announce-collaboration-to-develop-cargo-operations-in-uae-and-oman/, US Navy) beginning in 2026 and already have firm orders for aircraft under contract.

We’re a team of expert engineers from deep tech and aerospace that focus on fast iterations loops (completed transition flight https://youtu.be/AffdzQDUv2U faster than our peers) combined with mastery of the aircraft certification process. Previously, our team developed custom drones, brought multiple automotive platforms into production, and electrified transportation vehicles that magnetically levitate, that roll, that fly. Together, we’ve been learning, developing, building, testing, and preparing for this challenge our entire lives.

## About The Role

Odys Aviation is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Intern/Co-Op to support the Propulsion Team. We are looking for someone who can work onsite at our Long Beach office 30-40 hrs/week for at least 10 weeks.

In this role, you’ll work closely with full-time engineers to design, build, and integrate mechanical hardware that supports electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems, including motors, generators, inverters, and cooling hardware.

This is a hands-on internship where you’ll own real engineering tasks and contribute directly to flight hardware development—from CAD to parts in hand to vehicle integration and testing.

## What You’ll Do

1. Design and update propulsion mechanical components and assemblies as we transition from prototype builds to low-rate production
2. Design hardware for bench testing and support hardware troubleshooting alongside propulsion engineers
3. Help resolve design, fit and integration issues discovered during early builds
4. Implement design improvements to simplify assembly, improve repeatability and reduce build time
5. Create and maintain CAD models and drawings, following process to ensure traceability of design changes
6. Assist with prototype and production hardware fabrication and assembly, learning firsthand how designs translate to the shop floor
7. Develop work instructions, fixtures or tooling as needed to support assembly
8. Document design changes, build feedback and lessons learned to support production ramp up

## What We’re Looking For

1. Currently pursuing a B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field
2. Comfortable designing hardware using CAD (NX, SolidWorks, or similar)
3. Familiarity with common manufacturing processes; hands-on fabrication experience strongly preferred
4. Enjoys being hands-on—designing, building, and integrating real hardware
5. Able to work independently, take ownership of tasks, and ask good questions when needed
6. Strong curiosity, attention to detail, and desire to make a meaningful impact

## Nice to Have

1. Participation in student project teams (UAVs, Formula SAE, robotics, rocketry, etc.)
2. Experience with rapid prototyping (3D printing, basic machining, shop tools)
3. Interest in propulsion systems, electric powertrains, or flight hardware

## About Odys Aviation

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Odys Aviation builds long-range, hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft for defense, logistics, and civil applications, enabling runway-independent operations with significant payload and endurance.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series A)
- **Headquarters**: Long Beach, California, United States
- **Founded**: 2022
- **Founders**: Tadeh Avetian (Co‑Founder and Advisor); other founders not publicly listed (the team includes experts from GoogleX, Hyperloop, Volvo, and Fisker Automotive)

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Aerospace & Aviation, Defense, Logistics
- **Target customers**: U.S. Department of Defense, commercial cargo operators, humanitarian/NGOs, regional airlines (B2B, Government, Enterprise)
- **Mission**: “To connect people and goods in ways that truly solve real-world challenges and open new possibilities for the future of flight.”

## Products & Services
- **Laila**: Tactical VTOL drone with a 450‑mile range, 130‑lb payload, and multi‑hour endurance. Designed for defense, logistics, and emergency medical transport. Flies today.
- **Alta**: Larger VTOL cargo aircraft with a 1,200‑mile range, 3,500‑lb capacity, and dual flexible cargo capability. Aimed at regional logistics and passenger travel. Certification following Laila.
- Both platforms use **hybrid‑electric propulsion** and a patented **flap‑based thrust vectoring** system (replaces tilt rotors for simpler certification).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Total Funding**: $43.6 million (across pre‑seed, seed, and Series A rounds)
  - Pre‑Seed (Jul 2021): $3.5M from 7 investors
  - Seed (Feb 2022): $12.4M from 12 investors (after Y Combinator)
  - Series A (Nov 2025): $26M led by Nova Threshold with 3 investors
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Y Combinator, Nova Threshold, U.S. Department of Defense (Phase II contract), Sultanate of Oman (2026 evaluation program)
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Headcount: 44 employees (+61.3% year‑over-year as of mid‑2026)
  - Over $9 billion in Letters of Intent and pre‑orders
  - Completed first full‑scale Laila prototype flight campaign and full transition flight test
  - First test of Alta’s 1MW generator, a hybrid‑electric propulsion breakthrough
  - 13 active job postings; quarterly hiring trend +62.5%

## Competitive Advantages
- **Flap‑based thrust vectoring** – simpler, more certifiable than tilt‑rotor designs while enabling VTOL and efficient cruise.
- **Hybrid‑electric propulsion** – delivers superior range, payload, and endurance compared to pure electric VTOL aircraft.
- **Dual‑use strategy** – serves both military and commercial markets from a single platform, accelerating adoption and funding.
- **Early flight‑proven hardware** – Laila is flying today; full transition flight validated, reducing certification risk.

## Strategic Focus
- Scale full‑scale flight testing and manufacturing readiness.
- Advance certification programs for both Laila and Alta.
- Expand international launch operations (e.g., Oman partnership).
- Continue winning DoD contracts and penetrating defense/logistics verticals.
- Build engineering team (propulsion, avionics, robotics, mission systems).

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Values**: Emphasize “Details Matter”, “Build With Tenacity”, “Support The Team”, “Keep Your Promises”, and “Balance Audacity With Pragmatism”. Safety is the north star.
- **Team**: Composed of experienced aerospace engineers from Airbus, SpaceX, Boeing, and other top programs; described as “not average” with a focus on first‑principles engineering.
- **Work Environment**: Collaborative office and hangar spaces in Long Beach built for productivity and wellbeing. On‑site presence expected (no explicit remote policy advertised). Regular company events and team social hours.
- **Perks**: Competitive salaries, generous stock options, comprehensive health & wellness benefits. Opportunity to work on cutting‑edge aircraft from concept through certification and production.
- **Growth**: Rapidly scaling company with significant room for impact; employees can shape products and processes early.

## Sources
1. [odysaviation.com](https://www.odysaviation.com/) – Company homepage, product details, mission
2. [odysaviation.com/careers](https://www.odysaviation.com/careers) – Careers page, values, culture, benefits
3. [odysaviation.com/about](https://www.odysaviation.com/about) – Timeline, leadership team, funding milestones, DoD contracts
4. [linkedin.com/company/odys-aviation](https://www.linkedin.com/company/odys-aviation) – Headcount growth, funding total, employee breakdown, open roles
5. [ycombinator.com/companies/odys-aviation](https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/odys-aviation) – Y Combinator profile, founder background, early contracts

## Other roles at Odys Aviation

- [Composite Technician - Airframe](https://feeny.ai/job/composite-technician-airframe-odys-aviation-long-beach-ymyghw94fb1x) — Long Beach, CA
- [Mechanical Technician - Powerplant](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-technician-powerplant-odys-aviation-long-beach-mc5xhvtsreet) — Long Beach, CA
- [Staff Propulsion Controls & Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/staff-propulsion-controls-software-engineer-odys-aviation-long-beach-ccef4qmsfd0v) — Long Beach, CA
- [Mission Systems Integration Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-systems-integration-engineer-odys-aviation-long-beach-nn4n1tjnc0sp) — Long Beach, CA
- [Lead Aircraft Maintenance Technician (eVTOL)](https://feeny.ai/job/lead-aircraft-maintenance-technician-evtol-odys-aviation-long-beach-rtjsy0japddp) — Long Beach, CA
- [Mission Operations Specialist (UAS Pilot)](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-operations-specialist-uas-pilot-odys-aviation-long-beach-p5fryq1trxe4) — Long Beach, CA
- [Mechanical Design Engineer [Propulsion]](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-design-engineer-propulsion-odys-aviation-long-beach-4n4kzp0zd0e9) — Long Beach, CA
- [Sr. Power Electronics Hardware Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-power-electronics-hardware-engineer-odys-aviation-long-beach-r49kkj626twy) — Long Beach, CA
- [Junior Qualification & Safety Engineering Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/junior-qualification-safety-engineering-intern-odys-aviation-munich-b6w6b02kb9c6) — Munich, Germany
- [Unmanned Aircraft Operations Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/unmanned-aircraft-operations-intern-odys-aviation-munich-0qtmf8khv812) — Munich, Germany