2027 Lidar Undergraduate Intern

The Aerospace Corporation • El Segundo, CA

1d • $26 - $30 • Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation’s Photonics Technology Department is hiring an undergraduate intern to perform 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. The work also supports enabling technologies for imaging sensor design, testing, and image processing.

The intern will design and execute optical experiments, characterize sensor performance, and develop and verify image-processing algorithms. Relevant technology areas include atmospheric lidar, 3D remote-sensing lidar and imaging for space-based systems, and atmospheric aerosol characterization. Training and mentorship will be provided, and duties may change or be added as needed.

This is a full-time, on-site internship at the company’s facility in El Segundo, California. The intern must be available for at least 10 weeks outside the university term and return to a full-time bachelor’s degree program after the internship. Temporary housing assistance is not available.

Requirements

• Be currently enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Sciences, Optical Science, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Be available to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks outside the university term and be able to return to a bachelor’s degree program full-time after the internship.
• Have completed junior class standing by the internship start date.
• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Have experience with a programming language such as Python, C++, or MATLAB for system control, system testing, and data analysis.
• Be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. government-issued security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
• Have strong written and oral communication skills.
• Work well in a team environment.
• Have organizational, time-management, and project-management skills.
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational needs.
• Have interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with internal and external organizations.
• Provide transcripts.

Nice To Haves

• Active security clearance.
• Experience with atmospheric optics or physics, laser or lidar sensors.
• Knowledge of atmospheric lidar, atmospheric characterization, remote sensing, laser technology, 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 using 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 information content in data products.
• Support research and development and program needs involving emerging photonic technologies and platforms.
• Work in technology areas including atmospheric lidar, 3D remote-sensing lidar and imaging for space-based systems, and atmospheric aerosol characterization.

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 contributions 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.

What This Job Offers

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