About Ascent Ascent is an engineering consultancy that supports the Australian Defence Force by supplying them with expert engineering contractors, specialising in Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance, and Aircraft Structural Integrity services. (Yes, it actually IS rocket science!) We believe in hiring smart people, nurturing their ideas, and giving them the opportunity to make a tangible and value-driven difference to the defence industry – and are looking for curious, like-minded engineering students to join our internship program.
About the Internship At Ascent, we believe in training and developing the next generation of engineers. It offers opportunity to explore a unique and rare profession while transforming their freshly acquired theoretical knowledge into tangible, real-life experience. Our program aims to open doors into an otherwise elusive industry, while continuously building a future workforce within the broader defence industry, ensuring the safekeeping and security of Australia for many generations to come. We believe in learning through involvement. Interns are not just observers; they are an integral part of the team. That is why we are excited to offer an internship for undergraduate engineers.
Benefits of the internship program Interns are not just observers; they are an integral part of the team. The successful intern will have the chance to ask questions, learn from experts with decades of experience, and contribute to real projects that will impact the aerospace industry.
- Engage with professionals to understand and prepare for your future career in industry
- Have exposure to senior engineers with decades of experience in their field
- Interact with current graduates to learn more about transitioning from university to work-life
- Industry site visits
What makes this internship different Interested in starting your final year engineering project early and be mentored by industry experts while you do? We can help with that! Through the internship, your final year project can be initiated prior to the beginning of your final year. Giving you a great head start and the ability to explore your project in-depth, leading to a more enhanced outcome. Ascent offers potential concepts for final year projects in conjunction with our in-house Adjunct Lecturer (The University of Adelaide) or is open to receiving proposals from successful student(s), particularly if it is Defence orientated. There exists the potential for Ascent, or other affiliated companies’, to consider providing cash or in-kind sponsorship for final year projects.
Who are we looking for Our team consists of hand-picked individuals distributed across the country, meaning that the right fit is even more important to ensure we collaborate effectively, even when remote. You’re our kind of person if you:
- Are an out-of-the-box thinker with a natural flair for problem-solving and innovative solutions, that enjoys solving complex problems
- Are a naturally inquisitive and curious person
- Are proactive and boast a can-do attitude
- Are eager to achieve objectives and don’t shy away from getting on task and getting your hands dirty (figuratively, in most cases!)
- Have excellent interpersonal skills and can work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team
- Have a hunger for continuous learning
- Demonstrate exceptional communication skills
- Have an adventurous side and are willing to relocate to work on exciting projects
- Have a passion for, or interest in the defence industry
- Are excited by things that go boom
Must-haves Due to the current scope of work planned to be undertaken by the successful student, this internship application is looking for a Mechanical and/or Aerospace engineering student currently in their 3rd year (or equivalent), aiming to undertake their final year engineering project in 2025. Although this does not discount other year level engineering students applying, or other engineering disciplines applying, unfortunately the Civil Engineering discipline does not correlate well to either the aircraft integrity, or explosive ordnance fields.
What you will be working on A broad outline of the tasks that the successful student will be undertaking are:
Aircraft structural stress analysis and design – the student will be given an internship-long program of work to undertake self-paced, mentored learning as possible to increase their knowledge of structural and repair design in an aviation context.
Initial planning for final year project – for students that will be undertaking their final year engineering project in 2025, the internship can be used to develop and start a project that may result in either financial or on-kind support from Ascent, or any number of our senior engineers’ professional networks, to their university project. This will also give the successful student an opportunity to engage with our senior engineers and learn from their experiences to apply to a project they have complete control over.
Development of a structural test program – the student will be given a project directly related to aircraft integrity management, looking to develop and conduct a structural test program.
Gain experience working within Defence industry – through being embedded within Ascent, the successful student will get exposure to Defence and Defence industry, broadening their knowledge into both the intricacies, and breadth of Defence and Defence industry.
Ready to apply? Please apply through the link provided in this placement, and include
- A copy of your resume
- Cover letters are optional but highly encouraged
Whilst applications must be made online, enquiries are welcome via email, hello@ascentps.com.au, or by phone, (02) 6100 1185.
PS – Unsure whether Ascent is the right fit for you? Here’s what makes the A-Team extra special:
Prime office location: Situated in Adelaide’s heart of technology and innovation, Lot Fourteen, you couldn’t ask for a more convenient spot. Did we mention it has bottomless coffee facilities as well?
Opportunities for growth: We hire extraordinary people and provide them with the means and opportunities they need to develop their skills and perfect their craft.
Close-knit team: Despite being a nationally dispersed team, we are a supportive and collaborative unit that has each other’s backs and celebrates each other’s wins.
Fostering Innovators: We foster a culture where our people are keen to contribute their ideas – we are all innovators.
Work/Life Balance: It’s a buzzword, but we mean it. We care that you are meeting expectations, not how many hours you work.
