2027 Sensor Modeling and Simulation Grad Intern

The Aerospace Corporation • Chantilly, VA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is hiring a Graduate Sensor Modeling and Simulation Intern for its Sensor Modeling and Simulation Department (SMSD) in the Mission Payloads Division (MPD). The position is full-time and onsite in Chantilly, Virginia. SMSD scientists and engineers develop advanced remote sensing systems, including optics and electro-optical focal plane arrays, end-to-end sensing system models, simulated target scenes and atmospheres, data processing and computer vision algorithms, and simulated data products. The team uses its expertise, laboratories, and prototyping capabilities to support national space systems and civil customers.

The intern will apply SMSD and commercial off-the-shelf analysis tools and techniques to remote sensing applications, augment existing software capabilities using modeling and simulation software-development practices, advise internal customers on remote sensing system performance, and communicate study results to inform decisions. Training and mentorship will be provided. Duties may change or be newly assigned as needed.

Applicants must be currently enrolled full-time in a relevant graduate program, have completed an undergraduate degree, and be available to work full-time for at least 10 weeks outside the university term before returning to their degree program. The role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. Transcripts are required. Temporary housing assistance is not available.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university Master's or Ph.D. program in Remote Sensing, Imaging Science, Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Atmospheric Science, Computer Science, Optical or Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Completed an undergraduate degree and enrolled in a graduate degree program by the internship start date.
• Available to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks outside the university term and able to return to a degree program full-time after the internship.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Strong scientific programming skills in at least one of Python, C++, Matlab, IDL, or similar languages.
• Strong analytical and creative problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team.
• Organizational, time-management, and project-management skills.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational needs.
• Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with internal and external organizations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
• Transcripts are required.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Leadership experience and ability to mentor, teach, or coach others.
• Coursework or internship experience in electro-optical system modeling, simulation, design, data processing, calibration, characterization, phenomenology, or applications.
• Experience computing sensor performance figures of merit, such as SNR or NESR.
• Experience evaluating sensor hardware performance.
• Experience generating synthetic scenes using tools such as DIRSIG or Unreal Engine.
• Experience modeling atmospheric radiative transfer effects using tools such as MODTRAN.
• Experience with agile software development and Atlassian tools such as Jira and Confluence.
• Active security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Apply SMSD and commercial off-the-shelf analysis tools and techniques to applications such as image-chain modeling, scene simulation, spectroscopy, computer vision, change detection and tracking, space domain awareness, lidar and 3D remote sensing, radio-frequency remote sensing, product-quality metrics, optics, calibration, and data simulation.
• Apply modeling and simulation software-development best practices to augment existing software capabilities.
• Advise internal Aerospace customers on operational and research-and-development remote sensing system performance.
• Perform, document, and present study results to inform and influence decisions.

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.

What This Job Offers

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