2027 Space Vehicle and Ground Systems Graduate Intern

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care and wellness plans

Paid holidays and vacation

Telework options

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA invites interns currently enrolled in a graduate program to join our Systems Engineering Division. You will work on space vehicle and ground design studies, develop and refine design tools, and use RAPID Center prototyping resources to support active programs.

Successful candidates will be pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. in a related field, be able to commit to at least 10 weeks full-time, and may be considered for future opportunities that support our

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled full-time in a graduate program pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. in a related field.
• Available to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks and return to studies afterwards.
• Knowledge of spacecraft subsystems, system engineering, or related topics.
• Strong teamwork and ability to work in multidisciplinary groups.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; proficient with MS Office.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US security clearance; US citizenship required.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; transcripts required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support space vehicle and ground design studies, from small to large teams.
• Develop, maintain, and improve design tools and models for spacecraft analysis.
• Utilize RAPID Center prototyping tools and participate in steering group meetings.
• Collaborate with VGID staff, program office personnel, and Aerospace interns.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

MS Office

Education

Graduate program in ME, AE, CS, or EE

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Simulink

STK

C++

VBA

SolidWorks

Cameo

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.

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.

The Systems Engineering Division (SED) drives improved acquisition decisions, ensures systems are available when and where needed, and system capabilities integrate, and work as needed. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. SED spans the acquisition lifecycle from development to operations. As part of the System Realization Subdivision (SRS), the Space Systems Implementation Department (SSID) provides development, assessment, and closure of vehicle and ground designs. As a member of this department, you will be supporting the acquisition of the next generation of innovative spacecraft and ground systems to solve the most challenging problems of our US Space Force, Intelligence Community, NASA, NOAA, and commercial/international customers.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading and supporting space vehicle and ground design studies; types of studies can include both small, individual efforts as well as larger, multidisciplinary teams of subject matter experts.
• Leading and assisting with development, maintenance, and improvement of design tools and models used during spacecraft design and analysis activities.
• Utilize and maintain prototyping tools, hardware, and equipment in the RAPID Center to support active programs, while actively participating in steering group meetings to support future center development.
• Collaborating with and learning from VGID staff, program office personnel, as well as other members of Aerospace’s engineering group, including the large cohort of Aerospace interns.

What You Need to be Successful

• Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited graduate program pursuing a Master’s Degree or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a 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.
• Knowledge of and/or relevant coursework in spacecraft subsystems, system engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science or other related topics.
• A desire to work on both individual efforts, as well as in large multi-disciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills and ability to excel in a collaborative environment; this also requires proficiency with office and collaboration tools, such as MS Office.
• Strong leadership skills.
• 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.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 or better on 4.0 scale.
• Transcripts required.

How You Can Stand Out

• Active security clearance.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, adapt quickly to changing priorities, and balance projects with conflicting time demands.
• Proficiency in modeling and simulation tools, and programming languages, including one or more of the following: MATLAB, Python, Simulink, STK, C++, VBA, SolidWorks, Cameo, or similar.
• Strong, demonstrated personal initiative.
• 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 - $38.00 Pay Basis: Hourly

Leadership Competencies

• Operate Strategically
• Lead Change
• Engage with Impact
• Foster Innovation
• Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

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 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.

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