2026 Structural Engineering Graduate Intern

The Aerospace Corporation • El Segundo, CA

1d • $35 - $48

About The Position

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. he Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments. The Structural Systems Section provides technical expertise in the fields of stage propulsion structural systems for launch and space vehicles developed across the industry, advanced structural analysis, and fracture mechanics. We specialize in the development of technical assessments to help inform customer decisions, including design guidance, industry standards, and evaluations of flightworthiness of National Security Space Launch vehicles. What You’ll Be Doing Assignments vary depending on the hiring organization, but you are applying to the same role for which you were an intern in 2025 at The Aerospace Corporation Learning about the evaluation of launch vehicle structures including plumbing, bellows, valves, pressurized components, pressurized structures, composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) and LV/SV interfaces Helping assess the strength, fracture-life, structural integrity, and stability of launch vehicle structures subject to combined mechanical, thermal, and dynamic loads Visiting local contractors to get hands-on experience with flight hardware Developing novel software capabilities that facilitate the support of contractor hardware acceptance reviews Assisting in the development of documentation for launch vehicle certification activities Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed Training and mentorship will be provided What Corporate Skills You’ll Bring Strong written and oral communication skills Must work well in a team environment Possess organizational, time management and project management skills Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational need Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations What You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited college/university program pursuing a Masters or PhD Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, and other STEM related disciplines 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. First year graduate school completed by internship start date Coursework relevant to concepts in one or more of the following: finite element analysis, launch vehicle structures and/or advanced structural mechanics Experience with flight hardware – design, analysis or hands-on are all acceptable Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel) 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 How You Can Stand Out It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: GPA 3.5 or higher Active security clearance Experience with GTAW/TIG welding Experience with ANSYS Workbench, Abaqus, HyperWorks, Nastran, NASGRO, C, C++, HTML, Python, Matlab or JAVA Experience in developing and delivering presentations Experience in working in an autonomous work environment on complex projects Experience in working on business or engineering full life-cycle projects from project inception through launch Software/hardware design, development, unit testing, and integration experience Participation in extracurricular activities related to your field of study Temporary housing assistance is not available. 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) $35.00 - $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 [email protected] . 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.

Requirements

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Must work well in a team environment
• Possess organizational, time management and project management skills
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational need
• Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations
• Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited college/university program pursuing a Masters or PhD Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Structural Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, and other STEM related disciplines
• 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.
• First year graduate school completed by internship start date
• Coursework relevant to concepts in one or more of the following: finite element analysis, launch vehicle structures and/or advanced structural mechanics
• Experience with flight hardware – design, analysis or hands-on are all acceptable
• Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel)
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• GPA 3.5 or higher
• Active security clearance
• Experience with GTAW/TIG welding
• Experience with ANSYS Workbench, Abaqus, HyperWorks, Nastran, NASGRO, C, C++, HTML, Python, Matlab or JAVA
• Experience in developing and delivering presentations
• Experience in working in an autonomous work environment on complex projects
• Experience in working on business or engineering full life-cycle projects from project inception through launch
• Software/hardware design, development, unit testing, and integration experience
• Participation in extracurricular activities related to your field of study

Responsibilities

• Learning about the evaluation of launch vehicle structures including plumbing, bellows, valves, pressurized components, pressurized structures, composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) and LV/SV interfaces
• Helping assess the strength, fracture-life, structural integrity, and stability of launch vehicle structures subject to combined mechanical, thermal, and dynamic loads
• Visiting local contractors to get hands-on experience with flight hardware
• Developing novel software capabilities that facilitate the support of contractor hardware acceptance reviews
• Assisting in the development of documentation for launch vehicle certification activities
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern