Mechanical Engineering Internship

HyLight’s mission is to help society become more resilient to climate change by improving the observation and inspection of infrastructure.

We build HyLighters, airships that collect data across vast distances with zero emissions.

Our activities include:

• Detecting methane leaks from gas infrastructures (4% of global GHG emissions)

• Inspecting power lines to prevent outages and wildfires

By 2030, we aim to become the global leader in aerial monitoring.

In just 3 years, we have pushed the realm of possibilities: as we have:

• Developed 8 iterations of the HyLighter

• Logged over 300 flight hours

• Secured our first inspection contracts with Europe’s largest infrastructure operators

• Joined the world’s top startup accelerator, Y Combinator

• Raised €6 millions

HyLight is aiming for a diverse and included team, if your profile doesn't fit all the description but you can bring a diverse point of view, push it forward, it will be highly appreciated.

We’re well-funded and backed by top investors, providing the resources you wish you had when building your own business. We don’t care about traditional roles or titles—just that you’re smart, proactive, and bring the same founder-level ownership and drive to help us build something massive.

At HyLight, our mechanical philosophy is simple yet demanding: Building the Future, Securing the Present.

“We are tackling a massive challenge: making innovative airships fly while guaranteeing flawless operational availability. To achieve this, we refuse to work in silos. We are one polyvalent force driven by a 'Dual-Track Agile' mindset.

This role requires a rare balance. You won't just be a designer behind a screen; you will be an owner.

In 'Discovery' Mode, you will explore and design the future HyLighter versions. You’ll have the autonomy to iterate, fail, and find the best solution to complex physical problems.

In 'Delivery' Mode, you shift gears to efficiency and rigor. Here, we don't look for perfection; we look for reliability and speed. You’ll get your hands dirty in the workshop, ensuring that what we validate today flies tomorrow.

I am looking for someone who thrives in this duality. Someone who treats the shop floor with as much respect as the design studio, and who understands that a design isn't finished until it works in the field. If you are ready to take full ownership of the mechanical lifecycle and build something that truly matters, welcome to the team.”

As a Mechanical Integration and Test Intern, you will contribute to the mechanical lifecycle of the HyLighter. You will bridge the gap between engineering design and operational reality, helping ensure our airships are robust, easy to assemble, and reliable for mission-critical inspections.

In collaboration with the Mech Team, your responsibilities will focus on Reliability, Industrialization, and Continuous Improvement:

Creative Design: Contribute to the conceptual design of new mechanical subsystems and airframe evolutions. You will help transform innovative ideas and prototypes into functional products through rapid iteration (CAD, 3D printing, machining), balancing sleek aesthetics, design for manufacturing, and high-performance engineering.

Reliability & Lifecycle Management: Support the development of fatigue models and design accelerated life tests (HALT/HASS) to predict component "End of Life" and maximize fleet availability. You will contribute to improving the drone design to ensure reliable operation in challenging conditions.

Root Cause Excellence: Support the implementation of Root Cause Analysis processes for field failures, helping ensure rapid design updates and maintaining a strong feedback loop between engineering and operations.

Education: Final-year Master's degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, Product Design Engineering, or a related field.

Experience: Previous internship(s), academic projects, research experience, or hands-on work involving mechanical design, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, or mechanical integration.

Background: You have worked on mechanical systems, aerospace structures, robotics, drones, automotive, or other complex physical systems through internships, university projects, student teams, or personal initiatives.

Versatility: You enjoy alternating between design and hands-on work, contributing both to the development of new concepts and to the improvement of existing systems through testing and iteration.

Mindset: You possess a "Shop Floor" mindset. You enjoy spending time in workshops, building prototypes, testing solutions, and understanding that a design is only complete once the physical product has been validated.

The following list of skills is exhaustive, while you may not perfectly fit with the profile, we highly value personal growth and development. We see our interns as potential future technical leaders at HyLight.

This is an exhaustive list of sought-after skills. While you may not have experience in all of them, we are looking for strong fundamentals, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.

Core Mechanics: Knowledge of CAD design and mechanical engineering fundamentals, with exposure to Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), material mechanics, and mechanical validation.

Reliability Data: Understanding of mechanical testing principles, fatigue, vibration, stress analysis, and reliability concepts through coursework, projects, or internships.

Manufacturing: Hands-on experience with processes such as 3D printing, machining, welding, or sheet metal work is a strong advantage.

Analysis Methods: Familiarity with problem-solving methodologies such as 5 Whys, Ishikawa diagrams, and structured root cause analysis.

Data Analysis: Ability to analyze test results and extract insights using tools such as Python is a plus.

• Highly organized and detail-oriented in documentation and execution.

• Entrepreneurship: Willingness to find shortcuts and ways to do things efficiently while taking ownership of projects.

• You enjoy getting your hands dirty and respect the insights of the technical team.

• Willingness to be present on-site and support operational teams during test and flight activities.

• Curious, analytical, eager to learn, and proactive in problem-solving.

• Good communication skills and collaborative mindset.

English: Fluent (Required)

• 2000 to 2500€/month compensation

• Real responsibility and direct impact on cutting-edge autonomous flight technology

• Mentorship with the Tech and Engineering teams

• Become a shareholder in HyLight upon hiring

• 100% reimbursement of public transport pass (Navigo) or €800/year for sustainable commuting

• Bike provided for commuting

• Free lunch

• Bi-annual offsite trips with the whole team

• Excellent work environment: international team, team events, beautiful offices on a former airbase

Founder Mentality: We value extreme ownership and want people who think like founders—fast decision makers, natural problem solvers, and executers.

Ground Floor Opportunity: You’ll be helping to shape and grow a revolutionary company with the resources to back it.

Impact & Speed: Work in a fast-paced environment where your contributions will have immediate, tangible effects on the company’s success.

• Introductory phone call (20 min)

• A 2 hour technical case study followed by a debrief with team members

• On-site meeting with the team and founders (1h)

• Reference calls

Office: Base 217, Brétigny-sur-Orge, accessible via RER C.

• Lab and Warehouse access

You’ll work side-by-side with experts in embedded, aerospace, and hydrogen propulsion systems—where your impact matters from day one.