Intern - Mechanical Engineer

Aerleum is a French deep-tech startup pioneering Reactive Direct Air Capture (Reactive DAC) — a breakthrough technology that integrates carbon capture and conversion into a single reactor. Our mission is to produce cost-competitive, scalable, and sustainable fuels that directly replace fossil-based alternatives in hard-to-decarbonize sectors such as maritime shipping, aviation, and chemicals.

As a Mechanical Engineering Intern, you will support the design and development of the reactor’s mechanical systems and peripheral components. Working closely with the technical team, you will contribute to the optimization of our technology’s performance — from prototyping to industrial scale-up. This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a cutting-edge deep-tech environment and actively take part in building breakthrough solutions to tackle climate change.

Main Responsibilities:

Mechanical & Hardware Design

• Support the design and development of the reactor’s mechanical systems, including peripheral devices (heat exchangers, piping, structural supports, etc.).
• Participate in brainstorming sessions to propose improvements in reactor efficiency, durability, and performance.

Prototyping & Integration

• Contribute to the assembly and testing of reactor prototypes at various development stages.
• Assist in the integration of peripheral systems (control, safety, automation, etc.) with the reactor core.

Optimization & Scale-Up

• Participate in the development and testing of full-scale prototypes.
• Support efforts to optimize thermal and mechanical aspects of the system for scale-up.
• Help identify potential improvements in system efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Project Coordination & Documentation

• Assist with equipment selection, supplier communication, and component tracking.
• Help draft technical specifications and contribute to the documentation of procedures and design iterations.

We are looking for someone with a strong technical background, hands-on mindset, and ability to drive innovation in complex engineering environments.

• Currently completing a PhD or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related field.
• First experience in mechanical design, ideally in the development of complex systems (reactors, thermal devices, etc.).
• Understanding of mechanical simulation tools (SolidWorks, ANSYS, or equivalent), as well as experience in prototyping and scaling up to industrial production.
• Strong team player with the ability to manage technical projects and collaborate across functions.
• Fluent in and English (written and spoken).

Additional Assets

Experience in energy systems, thermal systems, or carbon capture technologies is a plus! Additionally, fluency in French is appreciated.