2025 Photonics Technologies 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 Aerospace Corporation is hiring a Photonics Technologies Graduate Intern for an opportunity in El Segundo, CA. 

The Aerospace Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) is a diverse scientific organization that provides a broad and innovative research and development backplane for a growing space enterprise.  PSL’s impact is grown through a diverse research portfolio that blends foundational scientific research with cutting-edge technology development to serve a broad customer base. PSL’s exclusive ability to work with all stakeholders: (government, industry, and academia) enables us to provide novel solutions to the most challenging issues in current and future technology applications. The strength of PSL comes from the combination of cutting-edge tools and facilities, a vast repository of space-system knowledge, and the extensive technical expertise of our people. We harness these tools and expertise in over 150 different laboratories to tackle the new challenges for the space enterprise. 

Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) has more than 100 specialized laboratories used to test, analyze, and troubleshoot virtually every aspect of rocket and satellite system design, development, construction, deployment, and operation. The diverse expertise of the laboratories’ technical staff allows PSL to stay abreast of new technological developments and program support issues associated with rapidly evolving space systems.

The Photonics Technology Department is hiring a Photonics Technologies Graduate Intern to work in the emerging fields of radio frequency (RF) photonics, quantum photonics, and signal processing. PTD focuses on areas of photonics directed towards research and development of new capabilities for space systems, as well as ensuring that new and existing systems reliably deliver mission success in the rigors of the space environment.

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Participating with an interdisciplinary team in ongoing laboratory and theoretical research focused on photonics solutions for RF signal processing and/or quantum communications

• Applying standard and novel techniques and procedures to carry out scientific, engineering, and/or computational tasks related to RF photonics and signal processing and/or quantum communications, including laboratory characterization of devices and system simulations

• Developing novel techniques for analyzing uantum and/or RF photonics systems and signals data

• Presenting results to management, colleagues, and the scientific community

• Interacting with and learning from senior staff 

What Corporate Skills You’ll Bring 

• Knowledge of scientific principles relevant to the ongoing research at Aerospace

• Strong written and oral communication skills 

• Ability to work well independently and in a team environment 

• Organizational, time management and project management skills 

• Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing organizational needs 

• 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 Masters or Doctoral degree in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline

• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and scientific programming (e.g. Python, MATLAB, Mathematica, or similar analytical language)

• Prior experience working in a research or prototyping lab or performing numerical simulations 

• Completed coursework covering basic physics and mathematical methods

• 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 

• Completed coursework in advanced physics (including nonlinear optics), mathematical methods, and/or data analytics

• Experience with specialty simulation packages such as Lumerical, HFSS, Comsol  

• Experience performing independent research and/or development projects

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)

$32.00 - $42.00

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.