2025 Control Analysis Graduate Intern

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.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

The Vehicle Systems Division (VSD) sits at the center of the ideas and data behind current and future systems supplying innovative research and development; technical evaluations during the acquisition process; conceptual and detailed design; assembly, integration, and test; and operational support. Comprised primarily of highly-trained mechanical and aerospace engineers, VSD provides national expertise in the areas of vehicle engineering; guidance, navigation, and controls; robotics; electro-mechanical devices; embedded systems; fluid mechanics; propulsion; thermal control; orbital mechanics; mechanisms; structures; structural dynamics; and dynamic environments.  

The Aerospace Corporation is hiring a Graduate Intern for an opportunity in El Segundo, CA.  

The Control Analysis Department (CAD) is an organization within the Guidance and Control Subdivision that provides technical system engineering and analysis for space-based control systems to support a wide range of programs from DoD and NRO to commercial.  In today’s rapidly evolving space environment, spacecraft control analysis is as important as ever. In addition to increasingly modular and autonomous space vehicles, payload capabilities are advancing at a rapid rate with the scope of control applications expanding to include proximity operations such as robotic manipulation for on-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing. Accordingly, the department is developing the cutting-edge control analysis capabilities to meet these growing needs.

Work Model:

This position will be a hybrid work model and offer partially remote with some onsite work required in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Performing technical studies, detailed analyses and tool development related to satellite attitude or payload control, dynamics, and estimation

• Analyzing rendezvous, proximity, operations, and docking (RPOD) scenarios

• Developing robotic platforms and algorithms for internal research and development efforts

• Designing, implementing, and testing attitude determination and control algorithms for Cubesat-class vehicles

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

• Training and mentorship will be provided 

What Corporate Skills You’ll Bring

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Must work well 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:

• Undergraduate degree completed by internship start date AND enrolled to begin Fall 2024 advanced degree program OR currently enrolled in an advanced degree program pursuing a Master’s degree or PhD in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related discipline.

• Exposure to and interest in control systems

• Familiarity with analysis packages such as MATLAB/SIMULINK and/or programming languages such as C/C++ and Python

• This position requires the 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.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• GPA of 3.5 or higher  

• Familiarity with control, dynamics and estimation

• Familiarity modeling and simulating control systems

• Experience with robotics systems and/or tools such as ROS or Gazebo

• Experience with simultaneous lo