Internship 2026 – Modeling the Behavior of Launcher Thermal Protection Materials

At HyPrSpace, our mission is clear: to make advanced propulsion technology affordable and accessible for a wide array of applications, from civilian to defense. With our pioneering hybrid rocket engine, we're introducing a new era of aerospace capabilities—more efficient, cost-effective, safer, and sustainable.

Joining us :

Join the adventure at HyPrSpace, where innovation, collaboration, and humor blend to create groundbreaking advancements in space propulsion.

As part of the #SpaceBakers team, you'll contribute to a unique, patented technological leap, embarking on the full lifecycle development of a launch vehicle. Immerse yourself in an environment that prioritizes a "test and learn" philosophy, ensuring your ideas not only take flight but soar.

At HyPrSpace, your work directly impacts our trajectory towards success, offering rapid skill development in an iterative, hands-on approach.

Enjoy competitive compensation, flexible working conditions, and equity through our BSPCE stock option plan, all within the vibrant surroundings of Bordeaux, a nexus of culture, viniculture, and coastal life

Role overview :

As a Thermal Protection Materials Modeling Intern, you will play a key role in protecting our launch vehicle structures from extreme heat fluxes. These thermal protections are critical to prevent melting, rupture, and thermal expansion–induced mechanical stresses, all of which could compromise mission success.

Your mission will be to study, model, and characterize the behavior of insulating materials exposed to severe thermal environments, such as those found in combustion chambers. You will work on numerical models, experimental preparation, and data processing to ensure the accurate sizing and performance of our thermal protection systems.

Your key responsibilities :

As part of your internship and in direct connection with your academic training, you will:

• Conduct a bibliographic review and state-of-the-art analysis on aerospace thermal protection materials, their behavior, and their characterization.

• Take ownership of SAMCEF finite element software for simplified thermal studies, including conduction, convection, and radiation.

• Expand your modeling to complex thermal phenomena such as pyrolysis and ablation, and identify key governing parameters.

• Define the necessary tests and measurements required to calibrate and validate thermal models.

• Participate in laboratory tests and process experimental results.

• Build finite element SAMCEF models and/or develop 1D Python codes representative of test configurations to estimate physical parameters.

• Depending on progress, apply your findings to more complex models of real launcher structures.

• Contribute to the writing of the technical internship report.

This internship will strengthen your understanding of thermal protection materials in aerospace, especially regarding diffusion, radiation, pyrolysis, and ablation.

Internship Details :

Duration : 6 months
Start Date : January – April
Work Schedule : Full time
Location : On-site, Le Haillan, 33185, France

Who we are looking for:

You are a 5th-year engineering student specialized in Aerospace Engineering, Thermal Engineering, Materials Science, Structural Mechanics, or a related field, with a strong interest in thermal behavior of materials under extreme conditions.

You bring:

• Knowledge in heat transfer mechanisms (conduction, convection, radiation).

• Interest or experience in material thermal degradation phenomena such as pyrolysis and ablation.

• Familiarity with finite element analysis tools (SAMCEF experience is a plus).

• Programming skills, ideally Python, for 0D/1D modeling or data processing.

• Analytical rigor, scientific curiosity, and the ability to work in a structured manner.

• A mindset that is autonomous, proactive, and fully aligned with our "test & learn" philosophy.

What We Offer :

In return for your expertise and dedication, we're offering:

• The opportunity to work on strategic thermal protection challenges for hybrid propulsion systems.

• Hands-on experience with simulation tools and experimental test campaigns.

• Mentorship from experienced thermal, structural, and propulsion engineers.

• Real opportunities for technical growth within a dynamic and ambitious startup environment.

Apply

HyPrSpace is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. Our selection process is based on competencies requirements for positions only. If you are eager to make a significant impact, come as you are, we want to hear from you