Space Systems Engineer Internship

SAIC • Chantilly, VA

4d

About The Position

SAIC’s Intelligence Space Department is seeking highly motivated and innovative student interns to contribute to research and development in space systems engineering. Interns work on multidisciplinary teams addressing technical challenges in optical engineering, radio frequency (RF) engineering, and space modeling and simulation. Responsibilities are tailored to each candidate’s background, academic focus, and professional interests.

The role may involve advanced space systems projects; analysis of designs such as telescope image processing, laser communication links, radar systems, and antenna designs; and development of modeling and simulation tools for orbital mechanics, RF behavior in space environments, space object tracking, and mission scenarios. Interns may also research emerging technology concepts, conduct trade studies and quantitative analyses, evaluate system performance, validate models, and communicate findings through reports, visualizations, briefings, and presentations.

The internship offers hands-on experience on mission-impacting space systems projects, a collaborative environment, and opportunities to learn from industry experts and build technical, analytical, and professional experience.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen and interested in pursuing roles requiring eligibility for a security clearance.
• Actively pursue a B.S. or M.S. degree in a relevant discipline, depending on area of focus: optical systems (Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Astronomy, or related field); RF systems (Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field); or modeling and simulation (Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or related field).
• Have strong problem-solving abilities and quantitative analysis skills.
• Be able to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Have strong communication skills for conveying complex findings to technical and non-technical audiences.

Nice To Haves

• Relevant coursework, research, or project experience in telescope imaging, laser communication, focal plane electronics, or optical sensor technologies.
• Relevant coursework, research, or project experience in RF communication systems, radar engineering, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) processing, or antenna design.
• Relevant coursework, research, or project experience in orbital mechanics, orbital propagation, sensor scheduling, access calculations, or space systems dynamics.
• Proficiency with programming tools such as Python, MATLAB, C/C++, Java, R, or SQL.
• Experience with optical tools such as MODTRAN, ENVI, ArcGIS, Zemax, or QTModeler.
• Experience with RF or modeling and simulation tools such as STK, FreeFlyer, Orekit, or similar applications.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on advanced space systems projects involving optical systems, RF communications, and modeling and simulation.
• Analyze and research system designs, including telescope image processing, laser communication links, radar systems, and antenna designs.
• Develop and refine modeling and simulation tools for orbital mechanics, RF behavior in space environments, space object tracking, and mission scenarios.
• Research and evaluate technology concepts, including advanced sensors, optical payloads, radar algorithms, and spacecraft subsystems.
• Perform trade studies, algorithm development, quantitative analyses, and system performance evaluations.
• Test and validate system models across simulation and operational scenarios to improve accuracy and performance predictions.
• Communicate technical findings and solutions through written reports, visualizations, briefings, and presentations.

Benefits

• Hands-on experience working on advanced space systems projects with high mission impact.
• Collaborative work environment at the forefront of space innovation.
• Opportunities to learn from industry experts and gain technical, analytical, and professional experience.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern