2025 Structural Mechanics 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 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 Aerospace Corporation is hiring an Undergraduate Structural Mechanics Intern for an opportunity in El Segundo, CA.   

The Structural Mechanics Subdivision provides expertise in the areas of static and dynamic structures, mechanisms, environments, and materials for government and commercial space applications. As part of our lean, high-performance team, you will collaborate with aerospace companies and laboratories across the country to deliver the next generation of space systems. Your work will enable our customer to make critical decisions and deliver critical national capabilities in space on time, every time.

The subdivision is looking for an undergraduate intern to work in El Segundo, CA for the summer of 2024 to help integrate modern standards and design approaches into the subdivision's next generation of tools for evaluating dynamic and environmental responses of launch and space vehicle components.

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

What You’ll Be Doing

• Developing, organizing, and improving software and simulation tools used to solve environments and/or structural dynamics problems

• Improving tools and processes used to prepare test and/or flight sensor data for comparison to analytical predictions and for use in fleet monitoring

• Applying standard techniques and procedures to carry out a series of prescribed scientific and/or engineering tasks

• Documenting and presenting completed work and recommendations

• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may evolve to support growth and learning

• Training and mentorship will be provided 

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 fulltime in an accredited college/university program pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Structural, or Aerospace Engineering or related discipline

• Junior class standing completed by internship start date is preferred

• Minimum GPA of 3.0

• Familiar with Python and Matlab programming languages and environments

• Familiar with modern software issue tracking systems, including Jira

• Demonstrated interest in structural mechanics specifically related to rocket and satellite structures

• 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 signal processing, statistics, and other applied mathematical approaches

• Completed course work in Statics/Dynamics, Vibration, Finite Element Analysis, Differential Equations, and Linear Algebra

• Prior engineering or project management experience in the aerospace industry

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)

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.