2025 Thermal Design and Analysis 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.

The Aerospace Corporation is hiring a Graduate-level Thermal Design & Analysis 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; 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 Thermal Control Department mission is to develop, apply, and communicate thermal engineering expertise for spacecraft, payloads, and related systems to inform and enable key customer decisions.

Work Model

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

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Applying engineering principles and practice in the areas of thermal control systems for satellites and other spacecraft / space vehicles and payloads:

  • Assisting with analysis, modeling, simulation, and assessments of designs and design concepts relating to spacecraft thermal control systems and their components.

  • Assisting with experimental investigations including thermal design, thermal control systems integration, thermal environmental testing, thermal model correlation, data reduction and visualization, and engineering application of results.

  • Interacting with experienced department staff to identify and resolve design, acceptance and performance issues relating to space vehicle thermal control subsystems.

  • Providing timely and technically accurate reports to technical leads and management.

  • Participating in the broader thermal technology community through conferences, research projects, concept development, and technical interaction with leaders in the field.
     

• Acquire general knowledge in any one or more of the following:

  • Spacecraft thermal control hardware including heat pipes, radiators, pumped fluid loops, phase change materials, heaters, temperature sensors, thermostats, thermal blankets, phase change materials, and thermal switches.

  • Integration of visible or infrared sensors with cryogenic cooling systems such as mechanical refrigeration, cryo radiators, expendable coolants, and thermal storage devices.

  • Analysis of heat transfer in practice and theory, such as software, algorithms, or codes, analytical and/or numerical formulations, and related engineering topics such as thermodynamics, single- and multiphase flow, and energy systems.

  • Interdisciplinary engineering analysis such as Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) analysis, thermo-structural / thermal distortion analysis, thermal analysis of RF microwave systems, power-thermal energy system optimization, and contamination analysis.

  • Environmental testing practice and theory, including design and test margin philosophy, statistical analysis, a deep working knowledge of spacecraft or launch vehicle environmental test standards, and thermal model validation and correlation to test data.
     

• Provide technical responsibility in each of the following areas:

  • Help to define and coordinate own work in at least one project or program. 

  • Help to plan own efforts in knowledge management of at least one specific technical expertise area, actively seeking mentoring by others. 

  • Participate in at least one department engagement activity within Aerospace or the broader thermal technology community. 

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: 

• Bachelor’s degree completed and currently enrolled at an accredited college/university degree program pursuing a Master’s or Ph.D. in mechanical or aerospace engineering or closely related field with emphasis in heat transfer or thermal sciences.

• 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.

• Minimum GPA 3.2

• Familiarity with one or more programming languages (examples: C, C++, JAVA, Fortran, python, MATLAB)

• Basic understanding of and interest in all modes of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics

• This position requires 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 3.7 or higher

• Active U.S. Government security clearance

• Research, laboratory, industry work, or internship experience in cryogenics, sensors, heat pipe technology, and spacecraft thermal modeling

• Familiarity with Thermal Desktop® and/or SINDA software

• Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate long-term career objectives consistent with the Thermal Control Department mission.

Temporary housing assistance is not available. 

The Aerospace Corporation is a proud member of Space Workforce for Tomorrow (SWFT),a growing coalition of leading space companies committed to collaboratively working toward a shared vision of expanding and providing opportunities for talent to join the exciting space industry. As part of this commitment, SWFT companies are focused on building a skilled, innovative, and sustainable space workforce required to maintain U.S. leadership in space for decades to come. 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 - $46.00

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 various 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 employer. 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 peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.