2027 Sensor Modeling and Simulation Grad Intern

The Aerospace Corporation•Chantilly, VA

10d•$32 - $38•Onsite

About The Position

The Aerospace Corporation is hiring a Graduate Sensor Modeling and Simulation Intern for the Sensor Modeling and Simulation Department (SMSD) in the Mission Payloads Division. The role is full-time and onsite in Chantilly, Virginia. SMSD scientists and engineers develop and assess remote sensing systems, including optics, electro-optical focal plane arrays, end-to-end sensing systems, simulated scenes and atmospheres, data-processing and computer-vision algorithms, and simulated data products. The team combines its expertise with in-house laboratories and prototyping capabilities to support national space systems and civil customers. The intern will use department and commercial analysis tools to model and simulate remote-sensing systems, apply software-development best practices to augment existing capabilities, advise internal customers on system performance, and document and present study results. Training and mentorship will be provided. The position requires full-time availability for at least 10 weeks outside the university term and enrollment in a graduate degree program before the internship begins. The role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance, for which U.S. citizenship is required. Transcripts are required. Temporary housing assistance is not available.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Leadership experience and ability to mentor, teach, or coach others.
Coursework or prior 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 areas 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.
Work effectively independently and collaboratively, coordinate with internal and external organizations, and adapt to changing organizational needs.

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.
Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.