2027 Navigation & Positioning Architecture Systems Graduate Intern

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.

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 diverse 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.

The Surveillance and Navigation Architecture Performance Department (SNAPD) in the Integrated Performance Subdivision aspires to be the premier force advising the evolution of national security and civil space enterprises, leveraging our modeling and simulation (M&S) expertise to evaluate end-to-end architecture performance.

Within SNAPD, the Navigation and Positioning Architectures Section (NPAS) develops and maintains technical capabilities in modeling, simulation, and analysis (MS&A) to perform requirements verification, analyses-of-alternatives (AoA), and performance evaluation for navigation and positioning systems. We are looking for curious and innovative teammates to help us address our customers’ hardest problems!

Work Model:

This full-time position requires a minimum of 4 days on-site at our facility in El Segundo, CA. Alternative locations that may be considered include Chantilly, VA, or Colorado Springs, CO.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Gaining knowledge and experience in one or more of the following domains: geolocation, Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) architecture analysis, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and jamming and spoofing.
• Provide analysis to support recommendations for research, development, and acquisition decisions for legacy and emerging customer navigation and positioning architectures.
• Perform architecture evaluation modeling overall performance using in-house or custom-developed analysis tools.
• Work closely with staff, management, and a team to translate customer needs into project objectives and provide technical evaluations.
• Develop and present timely and technically accurate presentations and reports that clearly communicate analysis results and provide recommended solutions to technical leads, management, and customers, with guidance from mentors.
• Aid in sustainment, development, and growth of the organization’s analysis and simulation capabilities to support functional areas for our diverse customer base.
• Participate with an interdisciplinary team in ongoing research or technical programs with academic collaboration partners.

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements for a Graduate Intern: 

• Bachelor's degree completed and currently enrolled fulltime in an accredited college/university program pursuing a Master's or Ph.D. degree in aerospace engineering, physics, operations research, mathematics, or a related field from an accredited program, OR Senior class standing by internship start date and enrolled in a graduate STEM degree program in Aerospace, physics, ops research, math or related field beginning Fall 2027
• Availability to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks outside of university term and ability to return to a  Master's or Ph.D. degree program after completion of the internship.
• Minimum GPA 3.0
• A history that shows personal accountability, a desire to learn, and an ability to manage several simultaneous tasks.
• The ability to interact and work with a diverse team in different locations.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with one or more software languages that may include Python, C++, or MATLAB.
• 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:

• Previous experience in one or more of the functional/mission areas listed above.
• Academic background in systems engineering, modeling & simulation, PNT, or space-based remote sensing architectures.
• Experience developing and presenting analysis results.
• Proficiency in orbital mechanics or space operations.
• Current TS/SCI access with a polygraph.

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 - $48.00

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  

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.