2025 Commercial Space Futures 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 Office of the Chief Technology Officer at the Aerospace Corporation helps bring innovative solutions to the space enterprise through technology awareness, innovative concepts, and rapid prototyping.  There are three offices within OCTO that bring these game changing solutions to our customers: Engineering, Science and Technology Hubs, the innovation lab – iLab, and the prototyping lab – xLab.  OCTO also manages the company’s internal R&D program and the Aerospace Technical Fellows program which makes up the top 30 engineers and scientists in the space industry.  

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

Work Model

This position will be located 100% onsite in El Segundo, CA.

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Technology Identification: Supporting the Systems Director and initiating your own research on emerging technology that could be applied or modified to serve near and medium-term customer needs and requirements. 
   

• Technical Assessment: Supporting the Systems Director and working with appropriate partners in the Engineering/Technology Group (ETG) to provide initial technical assessment of emerging technology, including tools, products, services and systems that are designed to provide a service or satisfy a need primarily for US Space Force, but may include NASA, NOAA and other US Government space-faring agencies and support agencies
   

• Helping to identify and evaluate emerging commercial space technology from across the industrial base with applications to US government space missions and programs
   

• Understanding and supporting the team in building the knowledge base for assessing and tracking technology maturation using the NASA Technology Readiness Level guidelines, evaluate commercialization for CSF government Customers and identify data trends to accelerate transition of critical technologies to mission operations
   

• Value Proposition: Following technical assessment, identify a commercial provider’s value proposition, and assess its worthiness for further investment of Aerospace Corporation time or resources in investigating for potential adoption by a government customer
   

• Partnerships: Brings idea generation, leadership, program development and program oversight to partnerships with start-ups, accelerators, incubators, national labs, regional commands and university programs as needed
   

• Supporting the development and planning of programs and partnerships to help grow support to the INDO-PACOM region of the pacific, including USG programs and operations headquartered in Honolulu

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: 

• Currently enrolled full-time in an accredited college/university program pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical 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.

• Sophomore or Junior class standing completed by internship start date 

• Minimum GPA of 3.0  

• This position requires 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 

How You Can Stand Out  

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

• GPA of 3.5 or higher 

• Active security clearance 

• Knowledge of NASA Technology Readiness Level system

• Broad interests across technology

Temporary housing assistance is not available. 

The Aerospace Corporation is a proud member of Space Workforce 2030, a growing coalition of leading space companies committed to collaboratively working toward a shared vision of expanding and diversifying opportunities for talent to join the exciting space industry. As part of this commitment, the Space Workforce 2030 companies have pledged to increase the number of females, diverse employees, and interns with a goal to hire at least 3,000 interns by the summer of 2030. Click here to learn more and register for the National Space Intern program. 

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)

$26.00 - $38.00

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:

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans

• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation

• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options

• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire

• Flexible spending accounts

• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions

• Relocation assistance

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career

• Education assistance programs

• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect

We are all unique, from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

The Aerospace Corporation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.