Avionics intern @ spacex
WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
My principal effort this internship was fully designing and managing a complete PCB project from concept through board release to manufacturing. In essence, we built a load switch PCBA for production testing that primarily supports Starship Orbital initiatives and production test racks, leading forth towards future test racks for SpaceX vehicles. Another feat was not only supporting layout for a couple legacy flight hardware PCBAs, but also a new power ethernet test board as well, leading a fellow engineering intern through the PCB design process and improving his layout design skills using Altium software. My last effort was collaborating with our Radiation team to automate and optimize the test coupon PCBA process. Through this, we formed a new, efficient system where it not only allows our harnessing team to broaden their technical skillsets of layout design, but also maximize our company's time, labor, and cost metrics from all ends that correlate in the creation of a PCB.
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR INTERNSHIP?
After several months of learning PCB Design independently, I interviewed for an Avionics intern position at SpaceX in Fall 2019 and was offered a Spring 2020 internship, extending to Summer 2020. After the summer internship, I was fortunately given a return offer for Summer 2021 where I worked on a multitude of different projects.
HOW HAS YOUR ALPHA KAPPA PSI EXPERIENCE HELPED YOU IN YOUR INTERNSHIP?
AKPsi has taught me to come to learn the true value of expressing oneself through clear communication, networking, and pushing beyond your own interpretation of limitation.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR INTERNSHIP?
My favorite thing about my internship was fully designing and managing a complete PCB project from concept through board release to manufacturing.
WHAT ARE YOUR TAKEAWAYS FROM YOUR INTERNSHIP? WHAT HAS IT TAUGHT YOU?
Partaking in such invaluable opportunities has allowed me to grow as a PCB designer, electrical engineer, and as a business professional. This experience has taught me to 1) let your curiosity run wild, 2) be honest with yourself and define what you want, and 3) continually surround yourself with those that inspire you.
