2025 Modeling and Simulation Development Undergraduate 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 an Undergraduate Modeling and Simulation Development Intern.

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 and autonomy; 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 Vehicle Engineering and Integration Department (VEID) is part of VSD, the premier satellite and launch vehicle technical organization within the Aerospace Corporation. We are seeking a modeling and simulation development intern who has demonstrated technical and programming skills, understands physics/physical hardware systems, is inquisitive, and motivated to learn. The Vehicle Modeling and Simulation Section (VMSS) within VEID is responsible for developing multi-disciplinary analytical models and developing software tools required to execute the desired analyses with respect to satellite, ground, and launch vehicle development and operations. VMSS is also responsible for hardware-in-the-loop / software-in-the-loop testing within the Vehicle Autonomy Lab. This is a full-time intern position based in Chantilly, VA with some consideration given to the El Segundo, CA, location for strong candidates.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Help develop advanced, high-performance distributed modeling and simulation (M&S) software, analytic tools, and visualizations, and integrate tool chains to support studies for future satellite systems and architectures.

• Maintain and enhance Java-based distributed simulation frameworks with multi-threaded architectures and develop new distributed simulation federates, pre- and post-simulation data processing, and visualization tools.

• Port scientific and engineering code, calculations, and algorithms from technical documents, Matlab, Python, and Excel to Java based software as well as interface legacy C, C++, and Fortran codes together into tool chains or distributed simulation frameworks.

• Assist in development and enhancement of hardware-in-the-loop and software-in-the-loop testing capabilities in a lab-environment

• Collaborate and learn from other developers to design and optimize code and assist in the creation of technical documentation and user guides.

• Participate in cross-disciplinary teams to help solve complex and challenging problems.

• Opportunity to expand role to other areas including vehicle assembly, integration, and test (AI&T), space vehicle autonomy.

• Be mentored and learn from members of VEID in areas ranging from vehicle modeling and simulation, vehicle AI&T, and autonomous systems and robotics.

What You Need To Be Successful

Minimum Requirements

• Currently enrolled full time in an accredited college/university program pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or related technical discipline

• Sophomore class standing by internship start date.

• Minimum GPA 3.0

• Experience with Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)

• Classwork or experience coding in Java, C/C++

• Basic knowledge of space systems including spacecraft subsystems (GN&C, CDH/flight computer, power systems, etc.)

• Willingness to learn, and demonstrated experience in taking on highly independent work, and showing initiative

• 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.

• Transcripts required

How You Can Stand Out

• Proficiency with Java as well as experience with any of: C, C++, Python, LabView, Matlab, COSMOS, Ruby

• Experience developing space vehicle simulations/emulations (GN&C simulations, power modeling, flight software emulation), hardware-in-the-loop testing, simulator development.

• Experience in a lab environment either working on a university satellite mission or performing modeling and simulation in a team setting

• Direct experience with spacecraft AI&T or involvement on a space vehicle design project/mission

• Experience with embedded hardware, hardware-software interfacing (raspberry pi, beaglebone, FPGA, GPU development/implementation, etc.)

• Experience in the field of AI/ML or general spacecraft autonomy

• Experience working on a project where you were provided requirements which were turned into tasks and then had a verification process for completing those requirements

• Active security clearance

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 - $30.00

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.