2027 Trajectory Optimization Graduate Intern

Location: El Segundo, CA; Chantilly, VA; Colorado Springs, CO; Albuquerque, NM

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 Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise. The division leverages a broad array of engineering disciplines against a dynamic portfolio of programs, customers, and national challenges. EED spans the capability lifecycle from concept and architecture design to performance assessment to application of space and space-enabled capabilities.

As a core component of EED, the Emerging Missions Flight Dynamics (EMFD) Department provides flight mechanics expertise for the cislunar domain, multi-objective “traveling salesman” trajectory sequence generation, facility location optimization, and trans-atmospheric modeling for missiles, hyperglide vehicles, and reentry vehicles. Relevant skills include orbital mechanics, astrodynamics, trajectory design and optimization, and atmospheric flight modeling and simulation. The selected candidate will provide expertise for a wide range of customer flight mechanics needs, supporting analysis, research, and development requests. The work will require candidates to provide deep technical solutions while also collaborating with engineering partners to facilitate integrated solutions for our customers’ hardest problems. Customers will include defense, intelligence, and civil and commercial organizations.

The selected candidate will be required to work full time, on-site at our facilities in El Segundo, CA, Albuquerque, NM, or Chantilly, VA.

What You’ll Be Doing

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

Analysis of multi-objective combinatorial optimization / sequential decision-making problems, such as the Traveling Salesman Problem, Facility Location Problem, Markov Decision Processes, etc.

Participates with an interdisciplinary team in ongoing research or technical programs with academic collaboration partners

Apply standard techniques and procedures to carry out a series of prescribed scientific and/or engineering tasks

Working on business or engineering full-life-cycle projects from project inception through launch

Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned as needed

Training and mentorship will be provided

Additional inter-department partnership collaborations opportunities:

Cislunar and exploration-class orbital mechanics analysis and trajectory optimization

Hypersonics, missiles, interceptors, and reentry vehicle trajectory design and optimization

What Corporate Skills You’ll Bring

Strong written and oral communication skills

Must work well in a team environment

Must possess strong 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 Master’s or PhD Degree in aeronautical/astronautical engineering, physics or applied mathematics, or related disciplines is strongly desired.

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

Undergraduate degree completed by internship start date

Minimum GPA of 3.0

Graduate level coursework, research and/or experience in one or more of the following areas: orbital mechanics, optimal control, flight mechanics, trajectory modeling and simulation

Experience programming in at least one of the following languages: Python, C/C++, Fortran, or MATLAB

Software design, development, unit testing, and integration experience

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

Transcripts required for this position

How You Can Stand Out

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

GPA 3.5 or higher

Active security clearance

Experience with sequential decision-making and optimization algorithms (ex: Monte Carlo Tree Search, Markov Decision Processes, Reinforcement Learning, Genetic Algorithms, Particle Swarm Optimization, etc.)

Experience with multi-objective optimization, linear/nonlinear programming, and/or gradient-based and indirect methods

Experience with reachable set analysis for dynamical systems

Experience building astrodynamics/flight mechanics analysis software with integrated optimization/decision-making algorithms

Experience with object-oriented programming, joint C++/Python development, and modern software development practices (ex: Git/version control)

Experience with developing and delivering presentations, leading small groups, etc.

Experience of working in an autonomous work environment on complex projects

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.  Individua