2027 Embedded Software Engineering Grad Intern

Location: El Segundo, CA

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space.

The Aerospace Corporation is hiring an Embedded Software Engineering Grad Intern for the Cyberspace & Mission Technology Department (CMTD) in the Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD). This position will be full-time, onsite at our office in El Segundo, CA.

Job Summary

ISCD staff couple the latest in information system technologies, such as elastic compute clouds, containerization, microservices, real-time operating systems, and visualization frameworks, with expertise in cyber security, software architecture, software engineering, data science, Artificial Intelligence, process improvement, and software development to deliver responsive, resilient, high-performance software intensive systems to our Intelligence Community, DoD, and civilian customers.

CMTD is seeking a Graduate Embedded Software Engineer Intern to support its Embedded & Specialized Computing section. You will perform research and development activities towards innovative embedded prototypes in areas such as image and signal processing, accelerated computing, and AI/ML at the edge. You will provide design and implementation support to a wide range of customers, translating cutting-edge research into mission-critical space systems that advance next-generation satellite capabilities.

What You’ll Be Doing

Develop embedded software solutions for evaluating novel processors and state-of-the-art on-board processing systems

Rapidly prototype and test embedded software on diverse platforms including Linux-based SoCs, embedded GPUs, FPGAs, application-specific accelerators, microcontrollers, and other emerging processors

Design and optimize algorithms for low SWaP embedded implementations across image processing, signal processing, and AI/ML application domains

Work closely with Aerospace scientists to assess the radiation susceptibility of embedded processors and develop appropriate mitigations

Present project status, technical findings, and technical demonstrations to your team and customer

Learn and grow through new work opportunities, trainings, and mentorship from experienced staff

What Corporate Skills You’ll Bring

Strong written and oral communication skills

Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment

Possess organizational, time management and project management skills

Demonstrate flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational need

Interpersonal skills to coordinate efforts and work with other internal and external organizations

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements

Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited college/university program pursuing a graduate degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science or related discipline

Availability to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks outside of university term and ability to return to a degree program full-time after completion of the internship

Minimum GPA of 3.0

Proficiency in at least one of the following areas: embedded systems design and development, software development for resource-constrained environments, edge AI/ML implementation, or FPGA design and development

Proficiency in at least two of the following programming languages: C, C++, Python, FPGA design languages/tools (such as SystemVerilog, VHDL, or HLS frameworks)

Experience with leading hardware platforms and tool suites (e.g., AMD/Xilinx, Altera, Microchip, ST Microelectronics)

This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Transcripts required

How You Can Stand Out

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these

GPA of 3.5 or higher

Experience developing embedded software solutions for space, aerospace, or defense applications

Proven ability to collaborate across hardware and software teams, especially on projects that bridge heterogeneous computing (CPU, FPGA, GPU) architectures

Proficiency implementing AI/ML algorithms on embedded platforms utilizing frameworks such as LiteRT (TensorFlow Lite), TensorRT, Vitis AI, or similar

Experience leveraging high-level synthesis (HLS) to accelerate and deploy algorithms on FPGAs

Demonstrated experience developing and optimizing CUDA kernels for embedded GPU applications

Active security clearance

Temporary housing assistance is not available.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business.  The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.  Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills.

(Min - Max)

$32.00 - $35.00

Pay Basis: Hourly

Leadership Competencies

Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who:

Operate Strategically

Lead Change

Engage with Impact

Foster Innovation

Deliver Results

Ways We Reward Our Employees

During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits.

Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type.  A few highlights include:

Compre