2027 Hardware Security Engineering Grad Intern

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Education assistance programs

Comprehensive health care

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation is seeking a Graduate Hardware Security Engineer Intern for the Cyber and Mission Technology Department. The role is full-time and onsite at El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA, within the ISCD.

The internship focuses on hardware security, embedded compute, and cryptography across space systems, offering mentorship and exposure to DoD and civil partners.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a graduate degree in a relevant field.
• Availability for full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks.
• Minimum GPA 3.0.
• Experience with FPGA design and HDLs.
• Embedded system design experience.
• Proficient in C, C++, Python, Perl, or Shell.
• Hands-on Linux experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Ability to obtain/maintain US security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to hardware security R&D, development, and applications.
• Define threat paths and mitigations for FPGA/ASIC/embedded systems.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and debug hardware and firmware issues.
• Assist in updating microelectronics assurance policy and requirements.
• Collaborate with Aerospace departments and external organizations on demos and capabilities.
• Learn and grow through trainings and mentorship.

Skills

FPGA design

HDLs

C/C++

Linux

Office tools

Education

Graduate degree in computer engineering

Graduate degree in electrical engineering

Graduate degree in computer science

Tools

Xilinx Zynq

HDL tools (VHDL/Verilog/SystemVerilog)

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. The Aerospace Corporation is hiring a Graduate Hardware Security Engineer Intern for the Cyber and Mission Technology Department (CMTD) in the Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD).

This position will be full‑time, onsite at our office in El Segundo, CA or Chantilly, VA.

Job Summary

ISCD staff couple the latest in information system technologies, such as elastic compute clouds, containerization, microservices, real‑time operating systems, and visualization frameworks, with expertise in cyber security, software architecture, software engineering, data science, Artificial Intelligence, process improvement, and software development to deliver responsive, resilient, high‑performance software intensive systems to our Intelligence Community, DoD, and civilian customers. CMTD focuses on critical space systems in the areas of Hardware Security, Advanced Cryptography, Network Security, and Embedded/ Specialized Compute Solutions. The group supports a variety of customers including the Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC), the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and other civil partners (e.g., NASA) to resolve unique challenges in implementation and research.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Directly contribute to hardware security research, development, and applications while helping to secure National Security Space Systems.
• Define threat paths and develop guidance on FPGA/ASIC/embedded systems vulnerability mitigations.
• Demonstrate the ability to diagnose, troubleshoot, and debug both hardware and firmware issues effectively.
• Assist in the development and improvement of microelectronics assurance policy, requirements and documentation.
• Collaborate with other Aerospace departments and external organizations to develop new technical demonstrations and capabilities.
• Learn and grow through new work opportunities, trainings, and mentorship from experienced staff.

Corporate Skills

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively 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 at an accredited college/university degree program pursuing a graduate degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or related program.
• Availability to work full‑time for a minimum of 10 weeks outside of university term and ability to return to a degree program full‑time after completion of the internship.
• Minimum GPA 3.0
• Experience with FPGA design, including familiarity with HDLs (VHDL, Verilog, and SystemVerilog) and major vendor tools (AMD Xilinx, Microchip, and Intel Altera).
• Experience with embedded system design (e.g., Xilinx Zynq/Microblaze, ARM, Altera NIOS)
• Experience in coding and scripting with languages such as C, C++, Python, Perl, or Shell
• Hands‑on experience with Linux environments
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Exhibit a high level of innovation, creativeness, and initiative.
• This position requires 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 of 3.5 or higher
• Active Security Clearance
• Some experience with hardware security
• Some experience with machine learning
• Some experience with other ASIC/FPGA verification tools (e.g., linting, clock domain crossing, x-propagation, requirements traceability) using tools from some of the major vendors (e.g. Mentor Graphics, Cadence, Synopsys)
• Temporary housing assistance is not available.

Compensation

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 - $35.00 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

• 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 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.

Security Clearance

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