CO-OP: Hypersonic Structures

Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services, Inc; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday pay

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Transitional allowance

Job summary

Kratos Defense SRE in Birmingham, AL offers a CO-OP dedicated to aerospace propulsion and hypersonics research. The program supports engineers in test prep, data analysis, and presentation while engaging hands-on in hardware design and testing at a secured facility.

Students rotate through tasks across design, preparation, data handling, and lab method development, with potential off-site travel to test facilities and vendors. Citizenship and clearance prerequisites apply.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain/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.

Responsibilities

• Design test hardware using solid modeling software.
• Prepare tests with drawings, text requests, and documentation.
• Collect, analyze, and report data.
• Develop laboratory test methods.
• Assist other staff and perform additional duties as needed.

Skills

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Freshman year in aerospace/mechanical/materials engineering

U.S. Citizenship

Tools

Solid modeling software

Data collection tools

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:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• 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.

Keyword: Hypersonics, Materials, Structures

Required Experience:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum Qualifications

• 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 ENVIROMENT / PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work Environment & Conditions

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.

(No Phone Calls Please)

From: Kratos Defense