CO-OP: Thermal Structural Systems

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

Benefits offered by this job

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 & Security Solutions, Inc. in Birmingham, AL, is offering a CO-OP opportunity within Kratos SRE. The role supports engineers in test preparation, data analysis, and data presentation for aerospace propulsion and hypersonic flight projects.

Rotations require a 3-semester commitment with school terms in between. Travel to off-site facilities may be required. The position emphasizes hands-on hardware design, lab work, and collaboration with lab staff and machinists to meet project

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a government security clearance.
• Completed freshman year in aerospace, mechanical, or materials engineering.
• Strong analytical and creative problem-solving abilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with others in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Analytical thinking

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Security clearance ability

Self-motivation

Education

Freshman year in aerospace/mechanical/materials engineering

Sophomore year preferred in same fields

Tools

Solid modeling software

Job description

This CO-OP opportunity is at our research division (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.

Experience and Skills

Required Experience:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

• 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)

• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PPO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as aprotected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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