IC 2025 Data Scientist

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.

Intern conversion for a Data Scientist in El Segundo, CA.  

The National Systems Group serves as the technical adviser to the Intelligence Community and its mission partners involved in the collection and distribution of national and tactical intelligence, including electronics programs, advanced technologies, ground and communications, imagery programs, and systems engineering and launch.

The Data Scientist will directly support a government program that is modernizing their architecture to provide capabilities for an efficient and effective Digital Engineering Infrastructure, while enabling automation, augmentation, and artificial intelligence in operational workflows. By joining this team as the Aerospace Data Scientist Intern, you are putting yourself in a position to directly influence our customer’s architecture and to be part of a team performing analysis on innovative and resilient solutions that provide speed and increased effectiveness to war-fighting capabilities.

Work Model:

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

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Take ownership and provide leadership of a small technical project with manager oversight

• Analysis of Large Language Models (LLMs) (for example, ChatGPT) and identifying best approaches for Government teams to effectively implement them as a tool to analyze data

• Synthesize industry/academic research and roadmaps related to AI technology development and provide recommendations

• Analysis of modern data management and storage solutions for AI/ML and Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) data

• Analysis on automating manual workflows

• Proactively identify new technologies and commercially available capabilities that can be rapidly deployed in mission environments

• Collaborate with a team of technical professionals

• Collaborate with other interns and Aerospace team members

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: 

• Master's/PhD degree in Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or related discipline, pursuing or conferred within 12 months.  

• Prior internship with The Aerospace Corporation

• Experience in one of more of the following domains: Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, data management, geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) architectures, systems engineering, or software development

• Experience creating and briefing a presentation to provide status and analysis of results

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. (US Citizenship required)

• 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 

• Advanced degree in imaging science, computer science/engineering, systems engineering, electrical engineering, or a related engineering or scientific field

• Demonstrated ability to lead a small project

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)

$86,000 - $108,000

Pay Basis: Annual

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.