2027 Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Graduate Intern
About The Position
The Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics (EMFD) Department provides flight mechanics expertise in areas including cislunar missions, multi-objective trajectory sequence generation, facility location optimization, and trans-atmospheric modeling for missiles, hypersonic glide vehicles, and reentry vehicles. The intern will support a range of customer flight mechanics needs through analysis, research, and development, delivering technical solutions and collaborating with engineering partners. Customers include defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial organizations. The intern will work full-time on-site at the company’s facilities in El Segundo, California, or Colorado Springs, Colorado. Training and mentorship will be provided. The role is a full-time internship for at least 10 weeks outside the university term, with the intern expected to return to a full-time degree program after completion.
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.
- Be available to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks outside the university term and return to a degree program full-time after the internship.
- 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 one or more 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 able to obtain and maintain a U.S. government-issued security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
- Provide transcripts.
- Have strong written and oral communication skills.
- Work effectively in a team environment.
- Have strong organizational, time-management, and project-management skills.
- Demonstrate flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing organizational needs.
- Have interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work 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 simulation and performance optimization of spacecraft, missiles, and reentry vehicles.
- Participate with an interdisciplinary team in ongoing research or technical programs with academic collaboration partners.
- Apply standard techniques and procedures to carry out prescribed scientific and engineering tasks.
- Work on business or engineering full-life-cycle projects, from project inception through launch.
- Collaborate with engineering partners to facilitate integrated customer solutions.
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 of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
