Intern and Grow with us
About Duckweed Labs
Duckweed Labs is a diverse, multi-institutional startup focused on sustainable space nutrition to support long-duration astronaut missions and, ultimately, communities on Earth facing food scarcity. Our flagship product, the Duckweed Protein Supplement Dispenser (DPSD), offers a renewable, efficient way to keep astronauts healthy, while reducing costly resupply missions. If you’re seeking a dynamic environment where you’ll solve puzzles nobody has tackled before, and where your ideas truly matter: you’re going to love Duckweed Labs.
Role Overview
As a Mission Assurance Specialist (Intern), you will support the development and implementation of risk management and safety processes across Duckweed Labs’ programs. You will work closely with engineering, operations, and leadership teams to identify potential risks, strengthen safety protocols, and help ensure mission success through proactive mitigation strategies.
Responsibilities
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Risk Identification & Assessment: Assist in identifying technical, operational, and programmatic risks across projects.
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Risk Tracking & Documentation: Maintain risk registers, track mitigation actions, and support regular risk reviews.
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Safety Compliance: Support the development and review of safety procedures, ensuring alignment with applicable standards and internal requirements.
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Process Assurance: Help verify that engineering and operational processes are being followed and properly documented.
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Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with engineers and project leads to evaluate hazards, assess failure modes, and strengthen mission reliability.
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Continuous Improvement: Contribute to lessons-learned reviews and recommend improvements to enhance safety and reduce risk exposure.
Requirements
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Citizenship: U.S. Citizen (required for ITAR compliance)
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Education: Currently pursuing or holding a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace, Safety, Risk Management, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience).
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Time Zone: Able to work remotely from anywhere in the United States (Eastern Time Zone preferred)
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Technical Skills:
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Familiarity with risk matrices, hazard analysis, FMEA, or systems engineering processes is a plus.
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Soft Skills:
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Strong attention to detail and analytical thinking
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Clear written and verbal communication skills
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Ability to work collaboratively across technical teams
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Proactive and organized approach to problem-solving
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Software/Tools: Comfortable with collaboration platforms (e.g., Google Workspace, Notion, or similar). Familiarity with risk tracking tools or systems engineering software is a plus.
What We Offer
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Real-World Grant Writing Experience: Develop proposals for public and private funding sources.
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Professional Skill-Building: Strengthen your technical writing, project management, and persuasive language skills.
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Networking Opportunities: Collaborate with engineers, scientists, and industry professionals, expanding your professional circle.
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Visibility & Impact: Your successful proposals can significantly shape Duckweed Labs’ growth and innovations.
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Potential Recognition: Build a strong portfolio of grant proposals and possibly secure recognition in future publications or announcements.
Why Join Us?
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Innovation & Impact: We’re forging new paths in sustainable space nutrition that could also address food scarcity on Earth.
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Flexible & Remote: We’re fully remote with a culture that values work-life balance.
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Transparency & Collaboration: Our founders maintain an open-door policy, ensuring you stay connected to the vision and decision-making process.
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Growth & Learning: Experience new challenges daily, collaborate with a passionate team, and shape the future of space travel and beyond.
Please note: This is an unpaid internship.
Duckweed Labs Is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We believe our strength lies in diverse ideas and backgrounds. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t match every requirement listed. Your perspective could be the missing piece. If you’re motivated, curious, and ready to innovate, join us on this mission to revolutionize space nutrition and make a lasting impact.
Apply Now
If you’re excited to solve unique challenges, learn every day, and contribute to a project that pushes the boundaries of human exploration, we want to meet you! We believe our strength lies in diverse ideas and backgrounds. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t match every requirement listed. Your perspective could be the missing piece.
If you’re motivated, curious, and ready to innovate, join us on this mission to revolutionize space nutrition and make a lasting impact. Click apply and submit your resume and a brief statement of interest.
Join Our Team
We’re looking for highly-motivated, super skilled, humble and hungry individuals to intern and grow with us. Submit your application. Join Duckweed Labs!