CO-OP: Hypersonic Structures

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability

401(k) Savings Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Paid Time-Off (PTO)

Holidays

Education Reimbursement

Job summary

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions in Birmingham, AL offers a CO-OP opportunity in our SRE research facility. The role supports a team of engineers in test preparation, data analysis, and reporting, with hands-on hardware design and test development. A 3-semester commitment includes rotating shifts across rotations and on-site work in a secured facility.

Requirements include U.S. citizenship, ability to obtain a government security clearance, and progression through freshman/sophomore year in

Qualifications

• US citizenship required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
• Completed freshman year in aerospace, mechanical, or materials engineering.
• Strong analytical and creative problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to work well with others in a dynamic environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Self-motivated to continually expand knowledge and skills.

Responsibilities

• Design of test hardware using solid modeling software.
• Test preparation including drawings, text requests, and documentation.
• Data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Laboratory test method development.
• Perform other duties and assist other employees, as assigned.

Skills

U.S. Citizen

Security clearance

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Self-motivation

Teamwork

Education

Freshman year in aerospace/mechanical/materials engineering

Sophomore year in aerospace/mechanical/materials engineering

Job description

Job Description

This CO-OP opportunity is at our research facility (Kratos SRE) located in Birmingham, AL. The CO-OP requires a 3-semester commitment – rotating working a semester then returning to school for a semester.

CO-OPs support a department of engineers in test preparation and execution, data analysis, and data presentation. Assessment of composites, ceramics, and metals primarily for aerospace propulsion systems and hypersonic flight applications. Students will also work hands‑on in hardware design and test development. Travel to off‑site test facilities and vendor locations may be required.

The student will work in close cooperation with a variety of engineers, as well as laboratory and machine shop personnel, in order to accomplish tasks vital to the success of projects. Depending on the team assigned responsibilities may include:

• Design of test hardware using solid modeling software.
• Test preparation including drawings, text requests, and documentation.
• Data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Laboratory test method development.
• Perform other duties and assist other employees, as assigned.

Experience and Skills

Required Experience:

• U. S. Citizen
• Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
• Completed freshman year in aerospace, mechanical, or materials engineering.
• Strong analytical and creative problem‑solving capabilities
• Ability to work well with others in a dynamic environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Self‑motivated to continually expand knowledge and skills related to this position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completed sophomore year in aerospace, mechanical, or materials engineering.
• Candidates who display strong work ethic, scholarship, quality workmanship, problem solving, and time management are highly valued.

This workplace is a secured facility and U.S. Citizenship, a background check, and drug test are required.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

This position is in an office and laboratory environment and sometimes requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses and protective shoes.

Comprehensive Pay

• Rotation One: $22.00
• Rotation Two: $23.00
• Rotation Three: $24.00
• Holiday Pay – CO-OP student employees will be paid eight (8) hours of holiday pay for any holiday which falls in a week worked during their rotation.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – CO-OP student employees receive a twenty (20) hour PTO bank immediately upon each rotation. Time to be used for (illness, vacation, bereavement). At the end of each rotation, unused PTO will be forfeited.
• Transitional Allowance – CO-OP student employees may be eligible to receive a taxable transitional allowance ($4,250) at the beginning of each new rotation payable on the first normally scheduled pay date.

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity, affirmative action employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

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