2026 Internship - Analytics Intern - Applied Space Research

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

2h•$23 - $48

About The Position

Are you in a STEM degree looking to apply your degree and learn how to apply reseach for space application? Are you self motivated and want to apply your technical skills to work in a collaborative enviorment for our National Aeronautics and Space Administration, United State Space Force and United States Space Command sponsor base? If you are pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Software Engineering, or a related field and want to work in space, we would love to have you join the Applied Space Research! We are seeking a driven computer scientist, engineer, mathematician, or scientist to help us in the development and performance assessments of various space systems. You'll be joining a hardworking team who balance independent and team-work on a variety of space-based projects. You will be working with other interns and subject matter experts to develop solutions for data fusion, laser technologies, machine learning, intelligent systems, modeling and simulation, performance assessment, remote sensing, sensor tasking, signature analysis, and testing for both existing and conceptual space systems. As a member of the Applied Space Research team, you will research, design, develop and test space components that technically characterize the performance of current, proposed and future space systems, sensors (EO/IR, radar, etc.) and constellations. You will leverage your own experience and that of subject matter experts with physics-based simulations to determine the performance of these systems in space as well as the effects of space and terrestrial environments. We are a group of staff from multidisciplinary backgrounds which include astronomy, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics. If you are willing to learn about space and a completely new warfighting domain and you enjoy computer simulations, programming, and solving challenging problems, you might be the perfect addition to our group! As an intern in modeling, simulation and analysis you will ... Perform modeling studies of space-based remote sensing constellations and systems. Contribute to the development and assessment of new space systems. Apply your technical expertise and creativity to develop and implement new modeling, simulation and analysis tools as needed. Develop presentations to effectively communicate technical results to the team, APL leadership, and government sponsors. Design, implement, test, and deploy software applications in a dynamic environment alongside other software engineers, engineers, and scientists. On the modeling and simulation team, you will be responsible for developing feature upgrades to improve the fidelity of the models and the testing environment. Collaborate with other subject matter experts to design solutions to various problems. Propose new areas of research relevant to our sponsor’s future problems in space. Apply new and innovative methods and software tools to enhance existing modeling, simulation and analysis systems to solve new challenges. Apply your knowledge of software engineering methodologies and continuously expand your familiarity with software tools and standards. Note: This job summary and listing of duties is for the purpose of describing the position and its essential functions at time of hire and may change over time as the sponsors' mission is changed or adjusted.

Requirements

Pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Software Engineering, or a related field.
Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Have an interest in modeling, simulation, design of experiments or performance analysis of space-based sensors, and constellation analysis.
Have development experience with C/C++, Matlab, Python or equivalent programming languages.
Are interested in designing and maintaining software systems.
Possess excellent communication skills on an interdisciplinary team that puts an emphasis on using modern tools for efficient and direct communication.
Have a desire to learn and explore new technologies with an eye to apply those modern technologies to develop disruptive, new solutions.
Have the ability to complete tasking requirements without direct oversight.
Thrive in a dynamic project environment with evolving technologies and problem-sets!
Are able to ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with data from space-based assets to design and maintain modeling, simulation and analysis systems.
Experience related to modeling, simulation, or performance analysis of space systems and constellations, or physics-based modeling for space applications.
Experience in statistical estimation, quantitative evaluation, and/or physics-based modeling.
Experience in a formal technical leadership role, leading a technical team, building modeling and simulation systems and models to assess space based systems and space communication systems.
Experience with any simulation and testing tool (think STK, AFSIM, etc.).
Strong space physics skills.
Passion for modeling, simulation, and associated software verification and validation.
An active TS/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

Perform modeling studies of space-based remote sensing constellations and systems.
Contribute to the development and assessment of new space systems.
Apply your technical expertise and creativity to develop and implement new modeling, simulation and analysis tools as needed.
Develop presentations to effectively communicate technical results to the team, APL leadership, and government sponsors.
Design, implement, test, and deploy software applications in a dynamic environment alongside other software engineers, engineers, and scientists. On the modeling and simulation team, you will be responsible for developing feature upgrades to improve the fidelity of the models and the testing environment.
Collaborate with other subject matter experts to design solutions to various problems.
Propose new areas of research relevant to our sponsor’s future problems in space.
Apply new and innovative methods and software tools to enhance existing modeling, simulation and analysis systems to solve new challenges.
Apply your knowledge of software engineering methodologies and continuously expand your familiarity with software tools and standards.