How We Make Selections
Our selection process prioritizes the skills you've developed and the projects you've worked on. These skills and experiences can come from things you have done on your own, with student organizations, or at other internships. We DO NOT use GPA, college, or class year when making selections. We believe these criteria often filter out some of the best candidates. Additionally, Aersys is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
Eligibility
To apply, you must be a part-time or full-time student, enrolled in a relevant program of study, and actively working toward your undergraduate degree. You may apply if you plan to graduate immediately prior to the internship program.
Location
Piscataway, NJ - Positions are hybrid by default, requiring a commute to our office at least twice a week. Some positions can be made fully remote on a case-by-case basis.
Application Opens
Monday, July 24, 2023, 8:00 AM (EST)
Deadline to Apply (Extended)
Monday, March 18, 2024, 11:59 PM (PST)
Internship Period
Tuesday, May 28, 2024 - Friday, August 16, 2024 (12 weeks)
Timeline
Group Interviews - Late March
Technical Interviews - Late March/April
Acceptance Emails - April
Application Requirements
Please have ready a 1-2 page resume (PDF only). The application takes about 30 minutes to complete.
A Project all to Yourself
If you're accepted to our internship program, we know you're talented - we also know that we can trust you to drive your own project. Based on your interests, existing skills, and learning objectives, you will get to choose a project perfect for you. With the full support of our team, a strong network of industry advisors, and all the independence you need, this is your chance to make an impact!
Professional Development Coaching
Unlike traditional workshops, we provide personalized coaching for interns and we work one-on-one and in groups to refine your soft skills. Our interns practice networking and interviewing skills, perfect their resumes, and build effective LinkedIn profiles during the program. We even take professional head shots for our interns.
Tailored Technical Training
College classes are not always the most effective at preparing you for what the industry expects. Your supervisor will review your current skills and adjust your project to include hands-on experience in the skill areas you need to develop. We'll even develop a classroom-style curriculum to get you up-to-speed as fast as possible and marketable to future employers.
Networking the Right Way
If you care about finding amazing opportunities, learning how to network is a must. We'll train you on how to network at conferences and using tools like LinkedIn. We'll even make introductions to industry leaders who may be able to give you opportunities to improve your career prospects.
An Amazing Experience
As much as you want to learn new things and get ahead in your careers, we know you want to have some fun too. During the program, we'll have movie nights, happy hours, barbecues, and so much more. Our neighboring office has a VR game room that we tend to spend a lot of time in, and we have a few toys of our own (remember, we work with drones and rovers!).
A Place To Launch Your Career
Interning at Aersys will make you part of a unique community of talented builders and innovators - and the benefits will last long into the future. Our interns have continued their careers at places like NASA, SpaceX, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, UPS and J&J. Some have joined the Aersys team full-time or founded their own startup. Wherever you want to go, Aersys will give you the jump-start to get there.
This internship program is unpaid. Stipends MAY be available - ask your interviewer for more info.
First things first - we don't like offering unpaid internships. While we feel the experience you will get at Aersys is much more valuable than anything we can pay, we understand that many students need to earn income during the summer.
Interning at a well-run, fast-paced startup early in your career gives you unique skills and exposure not possible anywhere else. The limitation is that startups often lack the resources to support a well-funded internship program. Don't get us wrong, our internship is one of the best, if not the best, on the east coast (we're not kidding about that and it's not money that did it). However, our limited funding is tied up in materials, equipment, and other expenses that just cannot be cut.
Our promise to you - as long as this internship is unpaid, our founding team will remain unpaid as well.
We know that for some this is a deal-breaker. If you cannot afford to go a summer without income, we understand and hope you look for opportunities at Aersys in the future. For everyone else, this internship will be what sets you apart from your peers.
So, does unpaid mean it's easy to get in? Not exactly. Each year, we have increased the number of positions offered and, despite that, each year our program has become more competitive. Our acceptance rate has gone from 12% when we started the program to 1.7% in 2024. This program is so popular because our interns get the rare opportunity to see inside a high-growth tech startup just as it's taking off.
Don't wait to apply. Our interns have continued their careers at places like NASA, SpaceX, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, UPS and J&J. Some have joined the Aersys team full-time or founded their own startup. Wherever you want to go, Aersys will give you the jump-start to get there.
On average, how long does it take to fill out an application?
On average, it takes 30-60 minutes to fill out an application. You can apply for multiple tracks in the same application. For example, if you are a mechanical engineer with software experience, you may apply to both software and mechatronics engineering.
Can I change my application after submitting?
No, but you may submit a new application. We only keep your most recent submission. You may also save changes and return to your application before submitting. Please keep in mind that we review applications on a rolling basis so try to submit your application as early as possible.
Do I need to be a college student to apply to this internship?
Generally, yes. We do make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. If you do not plan on attending college and this internship will help further your education, we may waive the requirement. Please email intern@aersys.io. While we would prefer to open the program up to everyone, keeping the program's educational material relevant to a student's major is a legal requirement under the FLSA.
Will you let me know if I am not accepted to the program?
Yes. Once all positions have been filled, we will send you an email letting you know if we waitlisted or declined your application. In this email, we provide a few general tips on how you can improve your chances in the future and are available if you would like to get feedback one-on-one.
I interviewed/applied previously and wasn't selected. May I reapply?
Yes! Because our program is so rigorous, we look for students who have already developed foundational skills through personal or professional projects. We expect your skills and experiences to change a lot over time and we always encourage people to reapply. Persistence is a quality we look for in our candidates.
How can I prepare for a technical interview?
We employ different interview styles for each position. When you are invited for an interview, we will let you know how you can prepare. Generally, we structure our interviews to require minimal preparation. Be ready to talk about your experience and past projects (and having visuals or demos is a plus). We care more about assessing your understanding of different concepts and how you approach problems than focusing on any particular skill.
Can I apply for multiple internship tracks?
Yes. You can apply for multiple tracks in the same application. Each additional selection adds 2-3 minutes to your application. Please do not fill out separate applications for each track you are applying to. We only save your most recent submission.
