2027 Communication Systems and Signal Processing Graduate Intern

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 4,408,000 - 5,235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Holidays & vacation

Telework options

Relocation assistance

Education assistance

Professional growth

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation offers a graduate internship in the Mission Payloads Division, based on-site in El Segundo, CA. This role focuses on communication systems and signal processing within the CSED team, with mentorship and hands-on project work for 10 weeks.

Selected candidates will apply MATLAB/Python/C++ skills to simulate satellite systems, analyze performance, and present findings. A security clearance and US citizenship are required; transcripts are requested as part of the

Qualifications

• Enrolled full‑time in a Master’s or Ph.D. program (EE/CE/Math or related).
• Available for at least 10 weeks full‑time and able to return to degree program after internship.
• Bachelor’s degree completed by internship start date.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Experience programming in MATLAB, Python, C++, or similar.
• Ability to obtain and maintain US security clearance; US citizenship required.
• Transcripts required.

Responsibilities

• Apply academic knowledge to practical tasks in digital communication systems engineering.
• Simulate and analyze satellite communication systems.
• Use MATLAB or Python to simulate algorithms or evaluate system performance.
• Present technical findings to team members and customers.
• Work closely with an interdisciplinary team; mentorship will be provided.

Skills

Strong communication

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Adaptability

Interpersonal skills

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Mathematics

Bachelor's degree completed by internship start

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C++

Job description

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation's space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise.

As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space- delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers.

When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

At the Mission Payloads Division (MPD), we are pioneers in remote sensing systems that guide our country’s space enterprise. Our talented and dynamic people create and flourish in electronics, sensors, radar, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced data network domains. We boldly advance technology through our research and development and then forward to demonstration and integration. With innovative laboratories and prototyping, MPD delivers groundbreaking results. We guide our Department of Defense, intelligence community, and civil clients to enhance national productivity and security and tackle the most critical missions.

Bring your intelligence and creative spirit and join us at MPD! The Communication Systems Engineering Department (CSED) is hiring a graduate-level Communication Systems and Signal Processing intern. CSED performs analysis, modeling and simulation, and laboratory activities to design and evaluate communication systems, signals, and signal processing algorithms for our customers. As an intern within CSED, you will be involved in solving challenging technical problems in the areas of communication, counter-communication, and related digital signal processing. Your technical knowledge will help support various US Government military and national program needs as well as shape their futures!

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

Apply academic knowledge to practical tasks in digital communication systems engineering under supervision and guidance. Simulate and analyze satellite communication systems. Use MATLAB or Python to simulate mathematical algorithms or evaluate system performance. Conduct analysis and present technical findings to team members and customers. Work closely with an interdisciplinary team. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed. Training and mentorship will be provided.

What Corporate Skills You’ll Bring

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Must work well in a team environment
• Possess organizational, time management and project management skills
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational need
• Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations

What You Need to be Successful

• Minimum Requirements Currently enrolled full‑time in an accredited college/university program pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics or related discipline Availability to work full‑time for a minimum of 10 weeks outside of university term and ability to return to a Master’s or Ph.D. degree program full‑time after completion of the internship.
• Bachelor's degree completed by internship start date
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Demonstrated mastery of engineering, mathematical, and scientific fundamentals consistent with your education to date.
• Experience programming in MATLAB, Python, C++, or another language.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government.
• U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.
• Transcripts required.

How You Can Stand Out

• GPA 3.5 or higher
• Active security clearance
• Coursework in signals and systems, signal processing, and communication systems
• Coursework in probability and statistics
• Experience in engineering design projects.
• Experience using laboratory hardware.
• Strong software development skills in MATLAB, Python, or C++
• Experience in developing and delivering presentations and working in small groups.
• Temporary housing assistance is not available.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. (Min - Max) $32.00 - $38.00 Pay Basis: Hourly

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who: Operate Strategically Lead Change Engage with Impact Foster Innovation Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry‑leading benefits. Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options
• 401(k) Plan - Employees receive a total company‑paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire
• Flexible spending accounts
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions
• Relocation assistance
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career
• Education assistance programs
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [e-mail] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.

Right Place

The Aerospace Corporation has over 26 locations nationwide, which allows us to build a workforce that will nurture the best ideas, and generate the most novel innovations and solutions to our nation’s toughest space enterprise challenges.

Right Path

Aerospace covers all stages of the space lifecycle, from concept to operations. We believe our people are our most valuable resource and that’s why we propel our employees forward in their careers through ongoing education, training, and professional development.

Right Purpose

We can all serve a mission much greater than ourselves, and at Aerospace that is exactly what we do. By hiring the industry’s most preeminent scientists and engineers, Aerospace advances emerging technologies that protect some of the most critical missions on Earth and above it.

Return to the Aerospace Careers site.

Aerospace employees working in organizations with technical responsibilities are required to obtain a Security Clearance. U.S. citizenship is required for those positions.