2027 Trajectory Optimization Graduate Intern
About The Position
The Trajectory Optimization Graduate Intern will support the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics Department within The Aerospace Corporation’s Enterprise Effects Division. The department provides flight mechanics expertise in areas including cislunar trajectories, multi-objective trajectory sequencing, facility location optimization, and trans-atmospheric modeling. The intern will contribute technical solutions to customer flight mechanics needs through analysis, research, and development, collaborating with engineering partners and academic collaborators on integrated technical programs. Work includes trajectory simulation and optimization for spacecraft, constellations, missiles, and reentry vehicles, as well as analysis of combinatorial optimization and sequential decision-making problems. Training and mentorship will be provided. The position is a full-time, on-site internship at the company’s facilities in El Segundo, California; Albuquerque, New Mexico; or Chantilly, Virginia. The intern must be available to work for at least 10 weeks outside the university term and return to a full-time Master’s or PhD program after the internship. Temporary housing assistance is not available. Duties may change or be added as needed.
Requirements
- Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university program pursuing a Master’s or PhD degree in aeronautical or astronautical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or a related discipline; this is strongly desired.
- Available to work full-time for at least 10 weeks outside the university term and able to return to a full-time Master’s or PhD program after the internship.
- Undergraduate degree completed by the internship start date.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Graduate-level coursework, research, or experience in at least one of orbital mechanics, optimal control, flight mechanics, or trajectory modeling and simulation.
- Programming experience in at least one of Python, C/C++, Fortran, or MATLAB.
- Software design, development, unit testing, and integration experience.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government-issued security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain one.
- Transcripts are required.
- Strong written and oral communication skills; ability to work well in a team; strong organizational, time-management, and project-management skills; flexibility and adaptability; and interpersonal skills to coordinate work with internal and external organizations.
Nice To Haves
- GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Active security clearance.
- Experience with sequential decision-making and optimization algorithms, such as Monte Carlo Tree Search, Markov Decision Processes, Reinforcement Learning, Genetic Algorithms, or Particle Swarm Optimization.
- Experience with multi-objective optimization, linear or nonlinear programming, and/or gradient-based and indirect methods.
- Experience with reachable set analysis for dynamical systems.
- Experience building astrodynamics or flight mechanics analysis software with integrated optimization or decision-making algorithms.
- Experience with object-oriented programming, joint C++/Python development, and modern software development practices such as Git or version control.
- Experience developing and delivering presentations or leading small groups.
- Experience working autonomously on complex projects.
Responsibilities
- Develop and apply advanced techniques for solving flight mechanics and astrodynamics problems.
- Perform trajectory simulation and multi-objective performance optimization of constellations, spacecraft, missiles, and reentry vehicles.
- Analyze multi-objective combinatorial optimization and sequential decision-making problems, such as the Traveling Salesman Problem, Facility Location Problem, and Markov Decision Processes.
- Participate in ongoing research or technical programs with an interdisciplinary team and academic collaboration partners.
- Apply standard techniques and procedures to complete prescribed scientific and engineering tasks.
- Work on business or engineering full-life-cycle projects from project inception through launch.
- Collaborate across departments on cislunar and exploration-class orbital mechanics analysis and trajectory optimization, and on hypersonics, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicle trajectory design and optimization.
- Coordinate efforts and work with internal and external organizations.
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 benefit 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
