2027 Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Graduate Intern

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

22h•Onsite

About The Position

The Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics (EMFD) Department, part of The Aerospace Corporation’s Enterprise Effects Division, provides flight mechanics expertise in areas including cislunar flight, multi-objective trajectory sequencing, facility location optimization, and trans-atmospheric modeling. The department’s work draws on orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation. The intern will support customer flight mechanics needs through analysis, research, and development, providing technical solutions and collaborating with engineering partners. Customers include defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial organizations. The internship is full-time and on-site at the company’s facilities in El Segundo, California, or Colorado Springs, Colorado. Training and mentorship will be provided.

Requirements

Be applying to or currently enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university program pursuing a master’s or Ph.D. in aeronautical or astronautical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or a related discipline; this is strongly desired.
Have completed a bachelor’s degree before the internship start date.
Have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Have graduate-level coursework, research, or experience in at least one of the following: orbital mechanics, hypersonic flight simulation, optimal control, flight mechanics, or trajectory modeling and simulation.
Have programming experience in at least one of C/C++, Fortran, Python, or MATLAB.
Have experience with software design, development, unit testing, and integration.
Be available to work full-time for at least 10 weeks outside the university term and return to a degree program full-time after the internship.
Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.
Have strong written and oral communication, teamwork, organizational, time-management, and project-management skills.
Be flexible and adaptable to changing organizational needs, with interpersonal skills to coordinate with internal and external organizations.

Nice To Haves

GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Active security clearance.
Experience developing and delivering presentations or leading small groups.
Experience working autonomously on complex projects.

Responsibilities

Develop and apply advanced techniques to solve flight mechanics and astrodynamics problems.
Perform trajectory simulations and optimize the performance of spacecraft, missiles, and reentry vehicles.
Participate in interdisciplinary research or technical programs, including work with academic collaboration partners.
Apply standard techniques and procedures to complete prescribed scientific and engineering tasks.
Work on business or engineering projects across the full life cycle, from project inception through launch.
Collaborate with engineering partners to develop integrated solutions for customer problems.

Benefits

Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
401(k) plan with company-paid benefits based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
Flexible spending accounts.
Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
Relocation assistance.
Professional growth and development programs.
Education assistance programs.
Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.