2027 Vehicle and Ground Concepts Undergraduate Intern

The Aerospace Corporation; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

401(k) plan

Relocation assistance

Education support

Flexible spending accounts

Professional development

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, CA is seeking a motivated undergraduate intern to support early-stage spacecraft and ground concepts within the VGCD. This 10-week, full-time internship is onsite and requires US citizenship for security clearance.

You will work with tools like MATLAB, Python, and SolidWorks, contribute to design studies, and collaborate with professional engineers and interns across aerospace disciplines. Minimum GPA 3.0 and transcripts are required.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited undergraduate program pursuing a relevant bachelor's degree.
• Available to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks and return to school full-time after completion.
• GPA of 3.0 or higher is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US government security clearance; US citizenship required.
• Transcripts required.

Responsibilities

• Support early-stage design studies for spacecraft/ground concepts; can involve small to large multidisciplinary teams.
• Assist with development, maintenance, and improvement of tools and models used in spacecraft design and analysis.
• Collaborate with VGCD staff, program office personnel, and other Aerospace interns.

Skills

MATLAB

Python

Simulink

STK

C++

VBA

SolidWorks

Cameo

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

Office tools

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.

Enterprise Effects Division

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace's strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a wide-ranging and dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.

Vehicle Ground Concepts Department

The Vehicle and Ground Concepts Department (VGCD) in EED provides space vehicle and ground system preliminary/conceptual design; trade and architecture analysis, modeling, process development and leadership expertise; and tool development in support of conceptual design activities across the space enterprise. As a member of VGCD, you will be designing innovative spacecraft and ground segment solutions to meet the most pressing mission needs of our US Space Force, Intelligence Community, NASA, NOAA, and commercial/international customers.

Work Model

This position is 100% onsite in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting early-stage design studies for spacecraft/ground concepts; types of studies can include both small, individual efforts as well as larger, multidisciplinary teams of subject matter experts.
• Assisting with development, maintenance, and improvement of the tools and models that are used during spacecraft design and analysis activities.
• Collaborating with and learning from VGCD 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 undergraduate program pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical 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.
• Some knowledge of and/or relevant coursework in spacecraft subsystems, ground systems design, 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.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0
• 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

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

• 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.
• GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Active security clearance

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) $26.00 - $30.00 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

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 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.