2027 Lidar Undergraduate Intern

The Aerospace Corporation • El Segundo, CA

5h • Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation’s Photonics Technology Department is hiring an Atmospheric Lidar undergraduate intern to conduct research and development and support program needs involving emerging photonic technologies and platforms, including lidar sensors, fiber laser systems, integrated photonics, and linear/Geiger mode photodiodes. Work may involve imaging sensor design, testing, and image processing. The position is full-time and on-site at the company’s facility in El Segundo, California. Training and mentorship will be provided. The internship requires at least 10 weeks of full-time availability outside the university term, with the ability to return to a bachelor’s degree program full-time afterward.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university program pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Sciences, Optical Science, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Available to work full-time for at least 10 weeks outside the university term and able to return to a bachelor’s degree program full-time after the internship.
• Junior class standing completed by the internship start date.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Experience in a programming language such as Python, C++, or MATLAB for system control, system testing, and data analysis.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Active security clearance.
• Experience with atmospheric optics or physics, laser systems, or lidar sensors.
• Knowledge of atmospheric lidar, atmospheric characterization, remote sensing, laser systems, or closely related fields.
• Programming experience, particularly controlling laboratory equipment and sensors.
• Experience with data visualization and analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute optical experiments, including operating optical sources, detectors, data acquisition systems, and control electronics.
• Characterize sensor performance under nominal and anomalous conditions.
• Develop and verify image-processing algorithms to maximize the information content of data products.
• Support research and development involving atmospheric lidar, 3D remote-sensing lidar and imaging for space-based systems, and atmospheric aerosol characterization.
• Support program needs related to emerging photonic technologies and platforms.

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.

What This Job Offers

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