2027 SDR/Digital Signal Processing Undergraduate Intern

aero; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care plans

401(k) plan

Education assistance

Relocation assistance

Flexible schedules

Telework options

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation seeks an SDR/DSP Undergraduate Intern to join our Chantilly, VA office. You will gain hands-on experience with SDR hardware, RF test equipment, and CI/CD environments while contributing to critical space-related programs for the US Space Force and the Intelligence Community.

You will work with experts across organizations, document results, and present findings to diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled full-time in a college/university pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, physics or related discipline.
• Availability to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks outside of university term and ability to return to degree program full-time after completion.
• Sophomore class standing completed by internship start date.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Experience with scientific programming using MATLAB, Python, C, etc.

Responsibilities

• Gain hands-on experience with SDR hardware platforms, CI/CD environments, HPC and RF test equipment.
• Solve technically challenging problems in communications, signals collection and data processing.
• Collaborate with subject-area experts in cross-organizational teams and interfaces with customers.
• Document and present findings to a wide audience.
• Training and mentorship will be provided.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Teamwork

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in EE/CE/CS/Physics or related

Sophomore standing

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 Digital Electronics and Electromagnetic Department, a core part of the Communication Systems and Agile Processing sub-division, excels in managing the full communications chain—from RF signals to digital bits. Our expertise encompasses everything from modeling and simulation to RF chain analysis/design and software-defined radio systems. We leverage this deep knowledge to develop satellite payloads, advanced signal collection methods, new modulation schemes, testbed environments, and innovative approaches to antenna design, characterization, and measurement.

We are looking for an SDR / Digital Signal Processing Undergraduate Intern to join our team and support critical programs that are vital to the success of todays and tomorrow’s space architectures. This position offers the unique opportunity to collaborate with leading technical experts while providing strategic guidance to both the United States Space Force and the Intelligence Community as they shape the future of the rapidly evolving space sector.

The selected candidate will be required to work full-time, onsite at our office in Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Gain hands-on experience with the department's laboratory infrastructure, including advanced SDR hardware platforms, CI/CD development environments, high-performance compute hardware, and RF test and measurement equipment
• Solve technically challenging problems in the areas of communications, signals collection, and data processing
• Work cooperatively with subject area experts in cross-organizational teams; participating in interfaces with customers and/or Aerospace program offices.
• Support technical studies/analysis/experiments/simulations and be able to document and present findings to a wide audience
• 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 Bachelor’sdegree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, physics or related discipline.
• 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.
• Sophomore class standing completed by internship start date
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• Experience with scientific programming using languages such as MATLAB, Python, C, etc.
• Understanding of fundamental principles of digital signal processing
• Exposure to common applications for DSP such as communications or remote sensing
• This position requires the ability to obtainand maintaina 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

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• GPA 3.5 or higher
• Active security clearance
• Experience working with and developing applications for software defined radios
• Experience working in a laboratory environment with RF devices and associated test equipment such as oscilloscopes, multimeters, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, etc...
• Familiarity with basic communications systems components and ability to analyze system performance
• Understanding of computer networking principles and protocols
• Experience working in Linux-based development environments

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)

$26.00 - $30.00Pay Basis: Hourly

Leadership Competencies

• 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

We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an equalopportunity 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,geneticinformation, 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 [e-mail]. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.