ECLSS Project Engineering Intern Opportunity at NASA Johnson Space Center (Summer 2026)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) continues to open its doors to the next generation of innovators through its highly competitive internship programs. One such opportunity is the ECLSS Project Engineering Intern position at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas, scheduled for Summer 2026. This in-person, full-time internship is designed for motivated undergraduate and graduate students who are eager to gain hands-on experience in spaceflight hardware development while contributing directly to NASA’s deep space exploration missions.

About the NASA Internship Program

NASA internships are structured, educational experiences that combine academic learning with real-world application. Open to students aged 16 and above, these internships provide exposure to NASA-related research, engineering, and operational activities. Participants work alongside experienced NASA engineers and scientists, gaining insights into the processes that support human and robotic exploration of space.

The ECLSS Project Engineering Internship falls under the Learner Community and is categorized within the Internships – Johnson Space Center (JSC) program. Interested students can learn more about NASA’s broader internship offerings by visiting the official portal at intern.nasa.gov.

Overview of the ECLSS Project Engineering Intern Role

This internship places selected students within the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) team. ECLSS is a critical system responsible for maintaining a safe and habitable environment for astronauts by managing air, water, temperature, and waste systems aboard spacecraft and space habitats.

As an ECLSS Project Engineering Intern, you will support hardware testing activities for NASA’s Gateway Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) mission. Gateway is a key component of NASA’s Artemis program and will serve as a staging point for lunar missions and future deep space exploration, including missions to Mars. The HALO module, in particular, provides living and working space for astronauts, making ECLSS performance absolutely mission-critical.

This role is ideal for students who are interested in flight hardware development, systems engineering, and time-sensitive engineering operations that have a direct impact on human spaceflight.

Key Responsibilities

Interns selected for this position will be actively involved in the engineering development unit (EDU) test campaign. Responsibilities include:

• Assisting with test setup configuration, ensuring that hardware and instrumentation are correctly prepared for testing
• Supporting the creation and maintenance of test procedures and documentation, a vital part of NASA’s structured engineering process
• Participating in test execution, including observing and supporting real-time testing activities
• Helping with data collection, reduction, and basic analysis, ensuring accurate recording of test results
• Tracking anomalies and action items, and supporting the engineering team in documenting and resolving issues that arise during testing

These tasks provide interns with a rare opportunity to work directly with flight-relevant hardware in a highly controlled and professional environment.

Skills and Experience to Be Gained

Through this internship, participants will gain valuable experience that is highly transferable to careers in aerospace, engineering, and technology. Interns can expect to gain:

• First-hand exposure to NASA’s flight hardware development lifecycle, from testing to validation
• Practical experience in structured engineering testing, including procedure-driven work and configuration control
• Foundational skills in engineering data analysis and documentation
• The opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a high-profile NASA mission with long-term significance for human space exploration

Beyond technical skills, interns also develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities by working within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Eligibility and Academic Background

This opportunity is open to students only, specifically those at the following academic levels:

• Undergraduate Junior
• Undergraduate Senior
• Graduate (Master’s level)

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, as required for this role. The preferred majors include, but are not limited to:

• Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• General or Other Engineering disciplines

While prior experience with space systems is not mandatory, a strong academic background in engineering and an interest in spaceflight systems will be beneficial.

Program Details and Application Timeline

• Engagement Type: Internship
• Activity Format: In-person
• Location: Houston, Texas
• NASA Center: Johnson Space Center (JSC)
• Work Schedule: Full-time
• Session: Intern – Summer 2026

The application window opens on December 15, 2025, and closes on February 27, 2026. Early preparation is strongly encouraged due to the competitive nature of NASA internships.

How to Apply and Contact Information

Interested applicants should prepare a strong application highlighting their academic background, technical interests, and motivation for contributing to NASA’s mission.

Apply HERE

For questions or additional information, applicants may contact the NASA Internship Program at nasa-internships@mail.nasa.gov.

The ECLSS Project Engineering Intern position offers far more than a typical internship—it is a chance to be part of humanity’s next steps into deep space. By contributing to the Gateway HALO mission, interns play a role in shaping the future of human exploration beyond Earth orbit. For engineering students passionate about space, systems, and real-world impact, this opportunity represents an exceptional launchpad into a career in aerospace and beyond.

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