Aerospace Industries Association Internships Summer 2025

Aerospace Industries Association Internships

Summer 2025

For more than 100 years, the American aerospace and defense industry has shaped the world around us in countless ways with immeasurable impact. Today, we are critical to the health of the U.S. economy and a seamless, fundamental part of daily life. So today more than ever, it’s vital that the industry has a strong voice speaking on its behalf. 

The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) has been that voice since 1919. Our work as an advocate and convener is essential to shaping policy, shedding light on the industry’s impact, and empowering its future.

About the AIA Summer Intern Program: 

AIA’s 2025 Summer Intern Program requires interns to commit to at least 10 weeks. Interns should expect to work up to 37.50 hours per week and will receive an hourly stipend of $22.00 per hour. To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to: jobs@aia-aerospace.org with “ATTN: AIA Summer Intern Program” in the subject line. For additional information about AIA, please visit: http://www.aia-aerospace.org.

Internships posted by January 16th

Application deadline: February 20th

Decisions are generally made in March

Eligibility

• Must be at least an enrolled in a credited college, in good standing, or a recent graduate.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Desirable fields of education: Public Policy, Political Science, Journalism, Business Management, Aerospace, Engineering, Design.

AIA Summer Intern Program opportunities are in the following functional areas: 

• Communications
• Civil Aviation Policy 
• Engineering & Technology 
• International Affairs/ National Security Policy
• Membership/Business Development
• STEM Programs and Outreach

Some representative descriptions providing the responsibilities and qualifications of some of the positions are listed below. As a non-profit association, our internships provide exceptional access to our member organizations that are leaders in the aerospace and defense industries. 

Consistent with our commitment to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly believe that diversity contributes to a broader collective perspective that will consistently lead to a better organization and better results. We are working hard to increase the diversity of our team wherever we can, and we actively encourage everyone to consider becoming a part of it.

Communications Intern

The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) is seeking a dynamic individual to join the communications team for a summer internship. AIA represents an industry that moves, connects, and inspires people and drives the American economy. We are looking for a storyteller who can help us share our story through media outreach, events, and digital content. We are looking for a communications or journalism major to help in all aspects of our busy office. Duties include writing articles for our website; drafting press releases; developing content for our social channels; helping organize meetings and other event planning; conducting research; collaborating with our Membership team for member communications; and special projects. 

Qualifications: 

Strong writing and interpersonal skills are essential. Familiarity with Microsoft Office, social media platforms, and basic graphic design tools like Photoshop, a plus.

Civil Aviation Policy Intern

The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) is seeking a Civil Aviation Policy Intern to assist our team on several exciting policy projects this summer. AIA is the most authoritative and influential trade association representing the U.S. aerospace and defense industry on Capitol Hill, within the administration and internationally. We represent more than 340 major aerospace and defense companies and their suppliers, embodying every high-technology manufacturing segment of the U.S. aerospace and defense industry including commercial aviation and avionics, manned and unmanned civil and defense systems, and space technologies and satellite communications.

Duties would include monitoring and analyzing relevant and potentially impactful regulatory and legislative issues for our members and specific Committees, Subcommittees and Working Groups. This position would also work with our communications staff to assist on messaging these issues to external parties and help craft effective ways to communicate with our internal members. Other duties may include ensuring accuracy of information on AIA’s database and coordinating relevant stakeholder meetings. 

Work of the Civil Aviation Division includes commercial aviation safety and aircraft/propulsion systems design, manufacturing, maintenance, and repair; environmental issues: including sustainability, sustainable aviation fuels, noise, emissions and chemical policy; unmanned aircraft systems, advanced air mobility and air traffic management, and spectrum. The intern is tasked with supporting the Civil Aviation staff as necessary and should expect to gain valuable knowledge about the commercial industry and policy making. 

Qualifications:

Applicants should be highly motivated, have excellent organizational and communication (oral and written) abilities, with a desire to work within the aerospace industry. Applicants should also have a basic understanding of the legislative and regulatory processes.

Engineering & Technology

The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) is seeking an intern to work with the Engineering & Technology division.  This internship will be focused on the intersection of high technology and aerospace and will offer the candidate the opportunity to interact with senior technical decision makers in the aerospace industry.  The internship will focus on the intersection of aerospace technology and policy.  An ideal candidate will have experience in developing automated processes to consume, transform, and summarize large sets of text-based data using AI.   

Qualifications:

Applicants should be strongly motivated self-starters with demonstrated interest in engineering and technology.

International Affairs Intern

The International Affairs internship at AIA is designed to give students exposure to a broad range of activities in the international aerospace and defense marketplace. Students will be given an opportunity to interact with member companies and the U.S. Government (with an emphasis on the Departments of Defense, State and Commerce), allowing them to build contacts which may lead to future career opportunities in the sector. This position will work with the International Affairs Division, focusing on commercial and defense and export controls. 

During the internship, students will be asked to take on a variety of projects important to AIA and the division, while availing themselves of the broader national security / aerospace and defense dialogue that occurs in Washington, DC. Tasks at AIA may include, but not be limited to, assisting division staff with day-to-day operations, assisting in organizing U.S. Government-industry dialogues, developing policy positions for consideration by AIA member companies, consolidating input on Federal regulations, including commercial trade, foreign military sales, and export controls of aerospace and defense equipment. 

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will come with superior writing and organizational skills and have a basic background in either international affairs or international business. Applicants should have a broad understanding of international trade, economic policy, and/or foreign affairs. Research experience is valued.

National Security Policy Intern

Interested in national security and defense acquisition policy? Looking for an opportunity to work near Capitol Hill? The Aerospace Industries Association’s National Security Policy division is offering an opportunity to gain experience and learn from leading government and industry experts about national security strategy and budgets, acquisition policy, cybersecurity, industrial base policy, and more. Your tasks at AIA will include preparing and reviewing documents, organizing logistics for U.S. Government-industry dialogues, assisting in the development of policy positions for consideration by AIA member companies, and assisting in the planning and execution of AIA events. Interns should expect to gain valuable knowledge about defense and acquisition policy and will be provided excellent networking opportunities.

Qualifications:

Applicants should be strongly motivated self-starters with demonstrated interest in defense and/or acquisition policy. 

Membership/Business Development intern

Interested in gaining real-world experience related to lead generation and pipeline management? The Aerospace Industries Association has an open position for an intern to work closely with the Membership team on reactivating membership conversations with previous members, researching targeted companies to determine eligibility for membership, and tracking lead progress through the acquisition pipeline. 

This work requires outreach to prospective members, following up, and reporting results. Data entry will also be required. The AIA assumes professional responsibility for the data entry work being done.

Qualifications:

We are looking for a candidate who has a desire for real-world experience in a fast-paced environment. The candidate should be personable, have a strong attention to details, excellent communication skills, and be familiar with database entry. The candidate should have experience with the Microsoft suite of office products.

STEM Programs and Outreach Internship (In-Person)

Overview

Have a passion for aerospace, program management, or STEM? Join us as the Spring/Summer 2025 intern for our signature program, the American Rocketry Challenge and Aerospace STEM Clubs. The internship gives selected interns the opportunity to be involved in the hands-on planning and execution of the aerospace and defense industry’s signature STEM initiative, reaching nearly 5,000 students annually. Interns will gain valuable training in project management, communications, and data-driven research.

About the American Rocketry Challenge

The American Rocketry Challenge is the world’s largest rocket contest with nearly 5,000 students nationwide competing each year. The contest gives middle and high school students the opportunity to design, build and launch model rockets and hands-on experience solving engineering problems. Since the program’s founding in 2002, over 90,000 students have gained invaluable STEM skills through hands-on, project-based learning. 

An intern will work as an integral part of a small team that manages the American Rocketry Challenge, so they will be actively involved in a variety of different program aspects. By the end of the internship, the individual will garner an understanding of non-profit program management, diverse communications skills, and a clear, intern-managed project.

This internship requires a 20-to-25-hour time commitment per week. This internship is based in the Washington, D.C. metro area - Eastern time zone. In-person availability is required. An intern onboard during the month of May 2025 is expected to assist in-person at the American Rocketry Challenge finals on May 17-18, 2025.  

Interested applicants should send in a resume and cover letter to jobs@aia-aerospace.org. Applications and selection of an intern will be considered on a rolling basis. This is a paid internship at $22.00. 

Responsibilities:

• Assisting the Program Director in the administration of all programming related to the 2025 American Rocketry Challenge and Aerospace STEM Clubs
• Assisting with vendor communication and event management 
• Assisting with digital communications including social media, graphic design, and newsletters
• Selecting, in consultation with the Program Director, a specific project area of the program (Virtual Competitions, Partnerships, Communications, Virtual Events, etc.) to develop and execute project plans
• Assisting with registration and team applications
• Assisting with the administration of our STEM Innovation Grant program
• Assisting with the administration of our Alumni Network   

Qualifications

• Undergraduate student, seniors preferred, with a passion for aerospace, education, and/or youth 

engagement. All majors will be considered.

• Prior internship experienced preferred.
• Strong writing and proofreading skills.
• Excellent communication, attention to detail, and time management skills.
• Advanced experience with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, Excel, and Canva.
• Experience with Click-up or another Project Management software is a plus, but not required.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

AIA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace, committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity/expression or veteran status.