IC 2025 Communications Systems Engineer

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.

Internship conversion position for the Communication Systems Engineering Department (CSED) within the Communication Technologies and Engineering Division (CTED).  This position will be located in El Segundo, CA.

Job Summary

The Communication Technologies and Engineering Division (CTED) represents the disciplines of communications, networking, and PNT (Position, Navigation, and Timing) in support of space missions, along with their enabling technologies. In our domain, CTED projects comprise all aspects, from architectures to prototypes to implementation, theoretical to hands-on.  Our engineers work directly with corporate and U.S. Government customers to ensure robust and resilient communications.

The Communication Systems Engineering Department (CSED) performs analysis, modeling and simulation, and laboratory activities to design and evaluate communication systems, signals, and signal processing algorithms for our customers. As an engineer within CSED, you will be solving challenging technical problems in the areas of communication, counter-communication, and related digital signal processing. Your technical expertise will help support various US Government military and national program needs as well as shape their futures!

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 

• Solve technical problems, under supervision and guidance, on projects involving:

• Physical layer modeling & simulation

• Communication waveform design and performance analysis

• Position, navigation, and timing signals design and analysis.

• Communication link budget analysis

• Evaluation of programs of record and future programs in various technical areas including satellite communications, signal intelligence (SIGINT), and electronic warfare (EW)

• Development and evaluation of program requirements, interfaces, and verification processes

• Digital signal processing (DSP) algorithm development

• Hardware prototyping and testing in the laboratory and in the field.

• Participate in specialized technical studies and internal research and development (R&D) projects to develop the next generation of Space and Ground network concepts, architectures, and technologies.

• Communicate technical results clearly in written reports and presentations.

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:  

• Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer/Electrical Engineering or related discipline from an accredited college/university program to be conferred within 12 months.

• Prior internship at The Aerospace Corporation

• Understanding of several communication systems and digital signal processing concepts (e.g., modulation, coding, synchronization, estimation, detection theory, waveform design, channel effects, and link performance)

• Fluency in at least one of the following programming languages: MATLAB, Python, C/C++

• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government.