Students can join at various entry points. High school students (grades 10-12) can join fall and spring season clubs that offer more advanced drone operations. Juniors and seniors with prior experience and certifications can apply for the paid internship positions on the Performance Show Team.

Once the program is established, middle schoolers will participate in winter season clubs that focus on Blender-based projects and introductory drone work.

Students will develop a range of technical and professional skills including:

• Coding and animation using Cinema 4D and other animation software
• Drone flight operations and maintenance
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and safety protocols
• Project management and teamwork
• Event planning and execution
• Problem-solving and critical thinking

The FAA Part 107 Certification, also known as the Remote Pilot License, is a credential issued by the Federal Aviation Administration that allows individuals to legally operate drones for commercial purposes. The program encourages high school students to obtain this industry-recognized certification via a variety of avenues such as our CTE Drone Pilot Course. The Certification is not required for all PSD Intern roles, however it is required for students who wish to take on the pilot role on the Performance Show Team.

Absolutely. The program provides students with industry-recognized certifications, technical skills in growing fields, and real-world work experience that will enhance both college applications and job prospects. The drone industry is rapidly expanding, and students with these specialized skills will be well-positioned for future opportunities in aviation, robotics, computer science, and entertainment technology.

There are 4 key types of Internship roles that will be hired seasonally. 

Current Internship Roles

• Student Intern: Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC)/Site Supervisor: Both an RPIC and Site Supervisor will be onsite for every drone show operation. The RPIC and site supervisor work closely and are the main responsible parties for the operation. Throughout the entire Drone Show operation, the RPIC and site supervisor ensure the overall safety, execution, and compliance with FAA requirements. On site, the RPIC manages the flight planning and operation of drones through the computer interface. They will make a go, no-go decision based on a variety of factors including weather, safety, and status of the hardware and software. On site, the site supervisor oversees the entire operation and ensures all checklist items are completed properly. At the test field and Innovation Center, the Pilot and site supervisor are expected to assist with project preparation and equipment maintenance. 
• Student intern: Crew Member/Visual Observer: Crew Member/Visual Observers play a vital role in ensuring the safe and successful operation of drone shows. You will work closely with the pilot, site supervisor, and other crew members to assist with the operation of the drone show. Before and after the show, crew members assist with setting up the drones and the supporting system. During the show, crew members act as visual observers, ensuring the safety of the operation.
• Student Intern: Drone Show Design Animator: The Drone Show Design Animator will be pivotal in creating visually compelling artwork to present to clients for approval. Once designs are approved, the individual will be responsible for animating these designs using Cinema 4D software to be executed by our fleet of up to 300 drones during performances. This role combines artistic creativity with technical skills to deliver stunning drone light shows.
• Student Intern: Drone Content Creator/Project Manager: The Content Creator & Project Manager plays a central role in coordinating all creative aspects of our drone performance projects. This position bridges client ideas with our design and animation teams, manages the production of promotional content, builds and mixes music sets for live performances, leads the sound crew during shows, and supports community engagement efforts. The ideal candidate will combine strong project management, social media, and technical skills, with a foundational understanding of drone technology and animation software.

Looking to fill one of these roles? Check out or Employment Page to view current postings.