Where Engineering Meets Startup Speed
Benjamin "Ben" Windt, an Aerospace Engineering major at 国产伦理's College of Aeronautics and Engineering, spent his spring 2026 semester as an Aerospace Engineering Intern at , a manufacturer of metal-based parts for industries including aerospace, oil and gas, and defense.
LeapFast uses a NASA-patented process called to manufacture parts in a single step, cutting manufacturing times from months to weeks. Ben pointed to an example from 国产伦理鈥檚 Astroflashes CubeSat Club: 鈥淲hen we order solar panels for our CubeSat Club it takes a year to get them and the lead times are the same,鈥 Ben explained. 鈥淸At LeapFast] we can send it off in two days, way faster than a lot of the standard manufacturers. It really is the future.鈥
Building Digital Twins
Most of Ben's work centered on creating digital twins using Python web programming and CAD modeling to simulate what would happen before a part was actually made. The goal is to catch potential failures early, from structural collapse and center-of-gravity issues to problems with speed and heat, and figure out the right adjustments, like cooling settings, before a single part is produced.
Learning the Business Side of Engineering
Beyond the technical work, Ben got hands-on experience with the customer-facing side of a growing company, using business development tools to reach out to customers and sitting in on conversations with both prospective and current clients. That experience reshaped how he thinks about engineering itself.
"You could be the best manufacturer in the world," Ben said. "But if no one wants [your product], you're not going to make any money."
From Rejection to Opportunity
Ben's path to LeapFast started with a rejection. He applied as a solo student going up against teams to a pitch competition and made it to the semifinals before being cut. LeapFast, one of the companies also competing, went on to place among the winners and finalists. That experience is what drew him to the internship: he wanted hands-on experience in his field, the chance to talk with customers, and the opportunity to build his professional network.
Much of that networking has run through the , where he attended a conference and connected with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and technical experts. Those connections have already paid off: Ben has secured his next internship for next summer, made possible after he asked a company CEO he'd met through YBI for an introduction.
Advice for Fellow Students
Ben's advice to fellow students chasing internships in their field is simple: Be intentional, and don't be afraid to reach out. People genuinely want to help students. "While you have that .edu email, everyone wants to help you, everyone wants to be your friend," Ben said. "You just have to ask for help."
Ben's internship is a reminder of what's possible when curiosity, persistence, and a willingness to ask for help come together. You too can turn opportunity into momentum as you Dare Mighty Things.
Looking for an internship experience that can shape your future? Steven Nowinski, CAE's Employer Engagement and Internship Manager, is ready to help you discover and apply for opportunities that match your career aspirations. Learn more about Career Services and Professional Development at www.kent.edu/cae/careerservices.
